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5. Martin Bangemann, Vice-President to the EC Commission, visited Taiwan from 20 to 23 November. He met the European Trade Representatives Organisation (ETRO), President Lee, Premier Lien Chan, Foreign Minister Chen and the Governor of the Central Bank. Discussions focussed on Taiwan's GATT application and the regionalisation of trade. The local press quoted Bangemann as saying that the EC was planning to establish some sort of representative office in Taiwan. His visit served to maintain the EC's profile while Taiwan was attending the APEC meeting in Seattle. Earlier in the month, former German Chancellor Jurgen Molleman visited Taipei and announced plans to upgrade the German economic and trade office there.
16. The Czech Economic and Cultural Office opened in Taipei on November 18. The Czech Republic is the first Eastern European country to have established official representation in Taiwan. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Prague opened in 1991. Czech's Vice-Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Mirdslay Somol arrived in Taiwan on 28 November for a five-day visit. South Korea opened a representative office in the Taipei World Trade Centre on 25 November. The first Korean representative is Han Chul-soo, who was ambassador to Taiwan from 1988 to 1991. Taiwan plans to open an office in Seoul before the end of the year.
17. On 15 November, the Taiwan authorities made a statement about their intended policy towards Hong Kong after 1997. Cheng An-kuo, Director of the Department of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the MAC, said Taiwan will treat Hong Kong as a "special zone distinct from mainland China". This will be embodied in legislation relating to the treatment of both Hong Kong and Macao which will be sent in draft form to the Legislative Yuan by the end of 1994. Two years will then be allocated for review and passage by the Legislative Yuan to take account of possible changes in Hong Kong and Macao during that time.
18.
Premier Lien Chan announced on 24 November that from 1 January 1994, citizens from 12 countries will be allowed to visit Taiwan for up to five days without visas. These countries include Britain and various other European countries as well as the United States, Japan, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Lien Chan said the aim was to boost tourism and increase foreign understanding of Taiwan.
19. A China Airlines Boeing 747 skidded off the end of the runway and into the harbour at Hong Kong's airport on 4 November. Nobody was seriously hurt.
20. Former US President George Bush, and his wife Barbara visited Taiwan from 16 to 19 November at the invitation of Citibank.
Far Eastern Section
Research & Analysis Department
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8 December 1993