to serve as his bio-technology adviser after his May 20 inauguration, South China Morning Post reported.Dr Ho was named Time magazine's "Man of the Year" in 1996 for his role in developing the "cocktail therapy" method of fighting HIV and Aids.
Mr Chen praised the Taiwan-born scientist for "bringing honour on Taiwan" through his research work, and promised his new Government would emphasise development of bio-technology.
Dr Ho said it was important for Taiwan to train bio-technology professionals.
"The Government must provide assistance by setting up a research fund," Dr Ho told local media. "In the future, if Taiwan needs medical assistance, I will certainly help."
Dr Ho said that despite recent advances in the fight against HIV and Aids, the disease remained a world problem.
Approximately 10,000 people were believed to contract HIV every day around the world, with the worldwide total standing at about 35 million, Dr Ho said.
Dr Ho added that Taiwan would need to bring in professionals from overseas, establish government assistance and set up a research fund if it wanted to successfully train its own bio-technology professionals.
Dr Ho, director of the Aaron Diamond Aids Research Centre in New York, said he hoped to be able to come up with an Aids vaccine in three or four years.
Mr Chen said bio-technology co-operation could help bring the mainland, Taiwan and the United States closer together.
Reports said that Dr Ho had been an admirer of Mr Chen for many years, and that he always met him when he came to Taiwan.
Dr Huang Pang-chen, deputy director of the Hsin Kong Hospital, said Dr Ho had stayed awake until he learned the news of Mr Chen's presidential win on March 18.
'Kung Fu Hustle' Top Film at Asian Awards (2006-01-20)Chen offers advisory role to top scientist (2000-04-18)2 (11285)
