Chen made the remarks during a meeting at the Presidential Office with Henry Hyde, ex-chairman of the International Relations Committee of U.S. House of Representatives.

Chen's "four noes" promise, made at his 2000 inauguration, means not declaring Taiwan independence, not changing the ROC's official name, not pushing forth the inclusion of the so-called "state-to-state" description in the Constitution, and not promoting a referendum to change the status quo in regards to the question of independence or unification.

Chen said he wrote a letter to Margaret Chan, director general of the World Health Organization (WHO) April 11, applying to join the WHO as a full member under the title of "Taiwan."

Noting that Taiwan has encountered great difficulty joining international organizations under its official title "ROC," Chen said the name of "Taiwan" is the term most used on international occasions and supported by the majority of Taiwanese people.