2 May 2005

President of Taiwan begins Pacific trip

7:11 am on 2 May 2005

The president of Taiwan, Chen Shui-bian, has become the first president to make a state visit to the Marshall Islands.

Mr Chen has been welcomed with a state dinner and is today due to attend Constitution Day ceremonies.

He is then due to address the Marshalls parliament and then open a Taiwan trade fair.

The Taiwanese leader is due to continue his pacific trip in Kiribati and then Tuvalu.