President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan has thanked African leaders and delegates to the just ended Taiwan-Africa Summit in Taipei, Taiwan, for honouring invitation to participate in the summit.

Chen expressed his appreciation and delight with the attendance at a grand welcome state banquet at the Taipei Guest House, which was also attended by senior officials of the Taiwanese government and other dignitaries.

"The first Taiwan-African heads of state summit is a milestone in the country’s democratic history and development," Chen told the guests. "It is the first time that Taiwan and its five African allies are gathering together and brainstorming on ways to advance their economic prosperity," he said.

As this year also marks the 20th anniversary of the abolition of martial-law rule in Taiwan, President Chen said his country will make greater efforts to fulfill its duties as a member of the international community and global citizen.

He then thanked their African allies for their solidarity, which he summed up as supporting and adherence to "righteousness and justice". 

To the end, President Chen said, Taiwan broke away from the past practices and it is applying for the UN membership under the name of Taiwan rather than its official title, the Republic of China.

After raising a toast, President Chen later led his guests to the state banquet attended by Taiwanese ministers and senior government officials. The welcome reception saw spectacular performances by various cultural dancing groups in Taiwan and an amazing display of a string of Taiwanese traditional musical instruments.