Mr Morris
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CC: Mr Bunten, HKD
Ms Barrett, Legal Advisers
Mr Smith, ECD(E)
Mr Love, DTI
Mr Lovett, AMD
Reference
4
R+k.
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HKC 02015
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LUNCH WITH MAJESTIC TRADING COMPANY
1.
On 3 April, I had lunch with Michael Wei, Managing Director of the Majestic Trading Company, Taiwan's London trade office. The conversation was generally aimless, but a few items of substance arose.
2. Mr Wei stressed the importance of targetted trade missions to Taiwan, prepared for by, and followed up with, official-level contact, and oiled by occassional Ministerial
contact.
3.
Mr Wei asked my opinion on, and FCO's permission for, a name change for Majestic Trading Company to "Taipei Trade Office", or similar. My understanding is that we have no legal power to prevent such a change, although our goodwill is important for Mr Wei. We would have to mention it to the Chinese first, but I think they would not object too strongly; the new name is fairly harmless and would presumably make life easier for UK companies wishing to operate in Taiwan. I should be grateful for the views of Legal Advisers.
4.
Mr Wei also asked what the UK was doing in negotiations with the Chinese, to safeguard Taiwan interests in Hong Kong after 1997. He mentioned investment, but presumably Taiwan is also concerned about air services and communications. I should be grateful for the views of HKD.
5. The GATT issue was raised. Mr Wei seemed confident that the 30 April GATT Council would establish a Taiwan Working Party with Mr Morland as its chairman. He asked whether the Taiwan representative in Geneva could have access to Mr Morland. I told him things were far from certain, and he should wait until they were, but if Morland does become chairman, he can expect to be lobbied fairly heavily by the Taiwanese.
6. Mr Wei is interested in meeting you again and, of course, in seeing Mr Davies. There is an invitation waiting
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