TAIWAN'S President, Mr Lee Teng-hui, yesterday pledged to win international backing in three years for the return of the Kuomintang-ruled (KMT) island to the United Nations.
Delivering a speech at the opening session of the National Assembly, Mr Lee also vowed to push to join more international organisations to contribute more to the peace and prosperity of the world.
''We will actively seek to join the UN,'' he said.
''We hope the international community will seriously consider this issue within three years.'' Ousted from the UN in 1971, Taiwan has been striving to regain its seat in the world body in the past few years as part of its campaign to break international isolation.
The ruling KMT's main rival, the Democratic Progressive Party, which made strong gains in last December's general elections, wants Taipei to reapply for UN membership immediately.
It has staged a series of demonstrations to press its demand.
Mr Lee said changes in the international environment had given the island republic the opportunity to expand its external relations.