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have the stature to represent effectively British interests. Other countries were much more visibly and impressively represented. British businessmen resented the lack of support from HMG. The Taiwanese were also frustrated that because of poor British representation they were unable to develop, as they genuinely wished to, UK-Taiwan commercial links. On the other hand, Mr Moore conceded that our Foreign Corporations Act, which was due to become law in July, would ease the difficulties of British companies trading in Taiwan.
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Poor British representation in Taiwan also had consequences for our consular responsibilities there. was a growing and influential expatriot community in Taiwan which was deprived of the protection and facilities of a British Mission. Mr Moore said that he had been asked to intervene in the case of a British citizen in prison in Taipei on drug charges (he had refused to become involved and had taken care that there was no public mention of the case in the context of his visit). He believed it was only a matter of time before a British consular case hit the headlines. would then be pressure in Parliament for the British presence in Taiwan to be upgraded.
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There were also problems with such basic administrative services as renewal of passports. Since there were no facilities in Taipei there was either a long delay while passports were sent to Hong Kong or applicants had to go to the trouble and expense of flying to Tokyo. He handed over a letter (attached) from Mr Chandler, the Managing Director of ICI in Taiwan, setting out the problem and asking for alternative arrangements to be put in place. I should be grateful for a draft reply.
6. Turning to Taiwanese representation in the UK, Mr Moore said he could not understand why we were so squeemish. Mr Fang, the previous Head of the Free Chinese Centre, was still offended at the complete absence of contact with the FCO during his period in London. He was now a malign influence in the MFA in Taipei. Mr Moore thought that it was important to allow the Taiwanese to staff the Free Chinese Centre adequately so as to allow an effective UK-Taiwan relationship to develop. It was in our interest to encourage Taipei to send good people. They would not do so unless we allowed them to operate effectively. He could see no objection to allowing telephone contact between the Centre and the FCO. We could make it a condition of such contact that the Taiwanese remained discreet about it. The Chinese need never know. services that Sir William Bentley provided as an intermediary were valuable, but Sir William freely admitted that he was not fully engaged in the detail of Taiwanese policy. His role was no substitute for adequate direct contact.
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