Ma reaffirms 'modus vivendi' diplomatic approach

Ma welcomed Lugo's visit to the Presidential Office in a ceremony with full military honors before they launched bilateral talks.

At the beginning of the talks, Ma praised Lugo for his administration, which has achieved 14-percent economic growth for Paraguay, as well as his high public support rate.

Ma also spoke of the solidarity of Taiwan-Paraguay diplomatic ties, which have existed since 1957. Paraguay, Taiwan's only South American ally, is one of the 23 countries that recognize Taiwan diplomatically.

Under his “modus vivendi” diplomatic policy, Ma went on, Taiwan has also promoted substantive links with many countries that do not maintain formal ties with Taiwan, including the United States, Japan, the European Union, New Zealand, Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The policy's goal is for Taiwan to be a “peacemaker, provider of humanitarian aid, promoter of cultural interaction and creator of new technologies and business opportunities” in the international community, rather than a troublemaker, Ma said.

He said his diplomatic policy — which is also described as a “live and let live” policy — has won the acknowledgement of leading U.S. politicians, from former U.S. President George W. Bush to incumbent President Barack Obama, and from former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to incumbent Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

They all believe Taiwan's current cross-Taiwan Strait policy can truly maintain peace in East Asia, Ma said.

Lugo arrived in Taipei March 11 for a week-long visit to cement bilateral relations. He is scheduled to leave Taiwan March 17.

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