RAD REPORT
ра
in Morda
ما
3%9
ল22
27/18
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1/
Harkin
HKC
020/3
ex230/4
TAIWAN
AUGUST 1991
Summary
The saga of the Chinese fishermen detained by Taiwan resolved with the comparative advantage going to Taiwan. ever visit by Chinese Communist officials to Taiwan. (para 1)
First
China's veteran leaders still dreaming of going to Taiwan. (para 2)
Further international recognition as Taiwan joins APEC under the "Olympic Formula".
(para 3)
Taiwan confused but pleased by developments in the Soviet
Union.
(para 4)
Minister of Transport and Communications suggests "dollars for diplomacy".
Further offers of aid aimed to boost Taiwan's standing.
(para 5)
Leaders acted to scotch rumours of a rift between the President and the Premier.
(para 8)
Relations with the Mainland
1. The fate of the Chinese fishermen arrested as pirates by the Taiwan authorities and detained on Taiwan since 21 July dominated relations for most of the month. There was a long wrangle between the two sides over allowing a delegation from the Chinese Red Cross to visit the seamen in Taiwan. The Taiwan authorities originally gave permission for the Red Cross party and two journalists from the New China News Agency and the China News Service to visit Taiwan, but at the last minute they revoked visas for the Red Cross party who were due to fly out from Hong Kong on 12 August, and only the journalists were allowed to proceed to Taiwan. There appeared to be differences between the two sides on the definition of the "humanitarian" nature of the visit, with the Chinese wanting to have contact with the court authorities which Taiwan rejected. While the arguments went on, the Taiwan authorities put seven of the eighteen seamen on trial on piracy charges on 14 August (though the prosecution only sought 12 year prison sentences rather than the possible death penalty). The other 11 had been declared innocent and sent to Quemoy pending repatriation although the Chinese at first made difficulties over the terms of the handover. Eventually, on 20 August, two Chinese
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