CONFIDENTIAL
CHINESE GOVERNMENT S ATTITUDE: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONTACTS WITH TAIWAN
6.
In recent years the Chinese government have made it clear that they have no objection to unofficial contacts between citizens of countries in diplomatic relations with them and Taiwan. But they strongly object to any contacts or actions having the effect either of conferring legitimacy on the Taiwan authorities or of strengthening the Nationalist armed forces. The Chinese attitude, and the position of HMG set out above, impose severe constraints on contacts with the Nationalist authorities in Taiwan. In particular, it is important that British Officials should avoid any official contacts with those authorities. Certain practical matters however including commercial, consular and travel issues require handling in a sensible manner compatible with these constraints.
UNOFFICIAL REPRESENTATION IN TAIWAN
7.
A number of countries now maintain unofficial representation in Taiwan, the most visible being the American Institute for Taiwan and the Japanese Interchange Association. These are the former US and Japanese Embassies under different names; they are staffed by government officials nominally retired. Several EC countries have recently opened small unofficial offices, also staffed by non-official or 'retired' personnel. To promote British trade with Taiwan the Anglo-Taiwan Trade Committee (ATTC) maintains a small office in London and one in Taipei headed by a British expatriate, assisted by locally-engaged commercial officers.
CONSULAR QUESTIONS AFFECTING BRITISH SUBJECTS RESIDENT IN OR VISITING TAIWAN
8. Following the withdrawal of our consulate in 1972 residual consular responsibilities were carried out on our behalf by the Australians and later the Americans. Since the closure of the US Embassy in 1979 there has been no official consular representation in Taiwan with any responsibility for British subjects. The resident Director of the ATTC is prepared to assist UK nationals informally but only in real emergency. He also holds stocks of application forms for passports and for registration of births, deaths and marriages. In the case of passports it is up to the individual to decide whether the application should be sent to the FCO, the Immigration Department in Hong Kong, or one of our Embassies in the area, eg Tokyo, Seoul or Manila. Registration of births and deaths is by application either to the Hong Kong government or to Nationality and Treaty Department. It follows that no consular protection can be afforded to British subjects in Taiwan, though the ATTC may be willing to act as an informal channel of communication.
VISAS FOR UK CITIZENS VISITING TAIWAN
9. Visas are required and can be collected on arrival in Taiwan. A letter of introduction from a Taiwan unofficial agency abroad can help (eg the Free Chinese Centre, London; or the Chung Hwa Travel Service, Hong Kong,. A handbook 'Selling in Taiwan' gives details of all travel and health documentation required. It is obtainable from the ATTC at 4th Floor, Minster House, 272-274 Vauxhall Bridge Road, SW1V 1BB.
VISITS TO TAIWAN BY GOVERNMENT SERVANTS (including Diplomatic Service officials, members of other government departments and members of the armed forces)
10.
Official visits to Taiwan by government servants (except those by members of the staff of the former consulate) have not been permitted since 1950. Following the agreement to exchange Ambassadors with Peking and to withdraw our consulate from Taiwan it was decided that no
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CONFIDENTIAL