Premier Sun Visits Central America

Members of the Premier's party included Minister of Economic Affairs Chang Kwang-shih, Vice Foreign Minister Fredrick F. Chien and Mrs. Chien, Deputy Chief of the General Staff Yao Chao-yuan, Vice Economic Affairs Minister Chang Hsuin-shwen, Director-General of the Government Information Office, Dr. James C. Y. Soong, and others.

During the visit, the Premier exchanged views with the Presidents and high-ranking officials of the three countries on world affairs, and reached substantive agreements on matters of mutual interest. The goodwill party called on overseas Chinese groups and inspected Chinese embassies and agricultural aid missions stationed in the three nations. They were greeted warmly by government officials and the people of the three countries.

The visit reinforced the cooperation and friendship between the Republic of China and the three nations in political, economic and cultural affairs.

The Premier's chartered plane touched down at 4︰30 p.m. at Juan Santamaria International Airport in Costa Rica on August 29. During his four-day visit to Costa Rica, the Premier presented a "Tsing Hwa No. 4" electric car to President Rodrigo Carazo on behalf of the ROC government. After two rounds of talks, Premier Sun and President Carazo issued a joint communique on September 2, pledging greater cooperation in the economic, agricultural, technical and cultural fields.

The government of Costa Rica decided to set up four experimental farms to raise the income of farmers, and to cultivate corn with modern and scientific techniques. Technical assistances in fish culture and the bambooware industry will be strengthened. The Republic of China will also dispatch a group of specialists to study the possibility of setting up an alcohol distillery and ceramic works.

The Premier left Costa Rica on Sept. 3, and received a red-carpet welcome on his arrival in Panama. On the afternoon, the Premier called on President Aristides Royo and the first lady at the Presidential Office.

President Royo reiterated his consistent support for the Republic of China, and praised free China for its rapid economic advance. On Sept. 5, President Royo insisted on accompanying Premier Sun for a visit to villages in the countryside, pointing out that a farmer once told him: "As long as the Chinese people stay, we will have no difficulty in earning a living."

The work meeting on increasing economic and industrial cooperation between officials of the governments of Panama and the Republic of China was held on September 4. The principal items agreed upon at the session were as follows.

--The government of the ROC pledges to donate a small fishing boat to train local fishermen.

--The Panamanian government hopes the Republic of China will send specialists to conduct joint ventures to explore for petroleum deposits, and to improve the techniques for polishing semi-precious stones.

--The Chinese government promises to help boost the pulp, paper-making, plywood, bambooware, food, woodcarving, ceramic and handicraft industries in Panama.

--The government of the Republic of China hopes the Panamanian government will speed up its issuance of visas for Chinese businessmen. The ROC government also plans to hold a trade exhibition in Taiwan to introduce goods, including wine and coffee produced in Panama and other Central American countries, to local buyers.

--The Republic of China plans to set up a trade expansion center, exhibition room, office, and a warehouse in Colon, a free trade zone on the Atlantic coast of Panama, to expand bilateral trade.

Premier Sun and Panamanian Foreign Minister Carlos Ozores issued a joint communique on September 6 in which both sides pledged to strengthen technological and economic cooperation in the future.

Premier Sun and his party left Panama for the Dominican Republic on the last leg of their visit, on Sept. 8. President Silvestre Antonio Guzman Fernandez, high-ranking officials and members of the diplomatic corps were on hand to receive the Premier with a 19-gun salute.

During an exchange of views on Sept. 9. President Guzman told the Premier that he hoped the Republic of China would provide more technical assistance and guidance on fishery culture, sugar making, hydraulics, irrigation. hog raising, and railway improvement techniques.

Premier Sun expressed appreciation for the assistance and protection given by the Dominican Republic's government to overseas Chinese communities, and its consistent support for the Republic of China in international affairs. He reiterated the Chinese government's willingness to provide more assistance to accelerate economic development in the Dominican Republic.

Accompanied by the Republic's Secretary of Agriculture, Hipolito Mejia, the Premier made an inspection tour at Juma, 86 kilometers north of Santo Domingo, to observe the working conditions of the Republic of China's agricultural team. The Chinese agronomists are developing new strains of rice seeds to improve yields.

On Sept. 11, President Guzman and Premier Sun signed a joint communique reaffirming the expansion of agricultural and economic cooperation between the two countries. The communique disclosed that the Republic of China will send several experts to help the Dominican Republic develop fishing and culture of marine species, and construct small dams. In addition, a technical group will help the country to mechanize its sugarcane planting and improve the sugar refinery facilities and the manufacturing of railroad ties. Increases in productivity, improvements of the operation of the Dominican National Airlines, hog raising and other matters are under study.

On Sept. 12, the Premier ended his third trip abroad since he took office. He visited Saudi Arabia in September last year, and the Republic of South Africa, Malawi, Lesotho and Swaziland in March this year.

After the trip, the Premier said that the governments of the three Central American republics accept the economic achievements of the Republic of China as an example to follow. This shows that the Three Principles of the People as outlined by Dr. Sun Yat-sen are better able to meet the people's needs than either capitalism or communism.

Through the visit, the Republic of China has won firm support from the three nations on the economic and diplomatic fronts. They actively offered to speak up for free China in international organizations and meetings and to assist the ROC in participating in international affairs. As Dr. James C. Y. Soong, Director-General of the GIO, said: "In offering assistance to these nations, we are able to build up a new image of the Republic of China in international circles. It is a historic trip."

[Picture Caption]

1. Premier Sun Yun-suan and President Rodrigo Carazo of Costa Rica answering questions at a press conference after signing a joint communique. 2. Premier Sun lays a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier in San Jose. 3. Premier Sun presents the key to the Tsing Hua No. 4 electric car to President Carazo. 4. Premier Sun and his party visiting the Institute of American Agriculture.

1. The Premier's plane lands in Panama. 2. President Aristides Royo of Panama decorates Premier Sun. 3. Premier Sun handing over president Chiang Ching-kuo's personal letter to President Royo. 4. The Premier during a visit to David City accompanied by the Panamanian ambassador to the Republic of China. 5. Premier Sun shakes hands with an overseas Chinese girl in David City.

1. & 2. Premier Suns visits have been reported in detail by local newspapers. 3. President Silvestre Guzman of the Dominican Republic decorates Premier Sun Yun-suan. 4. Premier Sun and Mrs. Sun being received by President Guzman and Mrs. Guzman on their arrival in the Dominican Republic. 5. Premier Sun seen during a tour of a project being conducted by an agricultural team from the Republic of China. 6. President Guzman presents a portrait of Premier Sun, painted by local artist, to the Premier.

Premier Sun lays a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier in San Jose.

Premier Sun presents the key to the Tsing Hua No.

electric car to President Carazo. 4. Premier Sun and his party visiting the Institute of American Agriculture.

The Premier's plane lands in Panama.

President Aristides Royo of Panama decorates Premier Sun.

Premier Sun handing over president Chiang Ching-kuo's personal letter to President Royo.

The Premier during a visit to David City accompanied by the Panamanian ambassador to the Republic of China.

Premier Sun shakes hands with an overseas Chinese girl in David City.

Premier Suns visits have been reported in detail by local newspapers.

Premier Suns visits have been reported in detail by local newspapers.

President Silvestre Guzman of the Dominican Republic decorates Premier Sun Yun-suan.

Premier Sun and Mrs. Sun being received by President Guzman and Mrs. Guzman on their arrival in the Dominican Republic.

Premier Sun seen during a tour of a project being conducted by an agricultural team from the Republic of China.

President Guzman presents a portrait of Premier Sun, painted by local artist, to the Premier.