Taiwan’s President Schedules a Trip to ‘Highlight Our Sovereignty’

President Chen Shui-bian said Monday that he will visit Taiwan’s allies in Central America and Africa this month in his first diplomatic offensive since taking office--a trip certain to annoy China.

“Diplomacy will symbolize and highlight our sovereignty,” Chen told a news conference. “It will allow us to see the world and let the world see Taiwan.”

The two-week trip, beginning Aug. 13, will take Chen to the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Gambia, Burkina Faso and Chad, which are among Taiwan’s 29 diplomatic allies.

Chen’s trip will start with a stop in Los Angeles that probably will not include meetings with American officials. Such meetings would enrage Beijing and strain the U.S.-Chinese relationship.

China considers Taiwan a part of its territory and not entitled to its own foreign relations. The rival governments have long been involved in a tug of war, using foreign aid and investment to lure away each other’s diplomatic allies.

While he has tried to improve relations with China, Chen said that Taiwan also must continue a campaign to join international organizations, including the United Nations.

Because of China’s objections, Chen said he could foresee difficulties involving Taiwan’s bid to rejoin the U.N. It was expelled in 1971.

In his second news conference since taking office in May, Chen also called on China to honor a 1992 compromise in which the sides agreed to set aside their dispute about Taiwan’s political status.