Focus Taiwan
Date: 2016/05/18
By: Sophia Yeh and Lilian Wu
Taipei, May 18 (CNA) Former President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and his wife will not attend a
Former President Chen Shui-bian. (CNA file photo)
state banquet following the inauguration of Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) as Taiwan’s new president on May 20, Chen’s office said Wednesday.
Chen thanked Tsai for extending the invitation, whether it was done based on previous Presidential Office practice or out of respect for former national leaders, the office said.
It said that in the professional judgment of Chen’s medical team, Chen’s condition would benefit if he attended the state banquet because treating patients with trauma syndrome should not only involve medicine or physical therapy but also increased social engagement and interaction with others and rebuilding past relationships.
The Ministry of Justice should respect medical professionals and listen to their professional viewpoint, which would be consistent with a civilized society, the office said.
But the office also said the state banquet is exclusively for the inauguration of a new president, and the only focus should be Tsai. [FULL STORY]
