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Shaw Yu-ming, was ordered by Premier Lee Huan to keep a close watch on the situation. After a couple of days silence, the Chinese authorities eventually announced that Huang was to be charged with illegal news coverage and filing provocative reports. Various appeals for clemency were made, and Huang's Editor tried in vain to get to the mainland to plead for him. Eventually, on 11 July, following his "confession" to the authorities, he and a colleague, Hsu Lu (accused of similar offences), were expelled from China.
3.
Despite these bumps, the Taiwan authorities made it plain that they would not be going back on decisions they had already taken to improve relations with the mainland, although Vice Premier Shi Chih-yang did say that further liberalisation would not be forthcomimg.
Nevertheless the Executive Yuan's mainland task force did pass a first reading of the temporary "Rules governing relations between people across the Taiwan Strait" on 14 July. The rules contain guidelines on subjects such as trade and investment on the mainland, the settlement of legal disputes (eg marriage and inheritance) and so on. These are fairly stiff lines for those engaged in direct trade or investment.
4.
But Taiwan's greatest triumph was the persuading of Grenada to open full diplomatic relations with it. The announcement was made on 20 July and Peking, which had had diplomatic relations, but no resident Ambassador, was put in a very awkward spot. The Taiwan authorities were able to make pious statements about the move not constituting 'dual recognition' because they considered the Communist regime a rebellious group. Eventually, after vain attempts to persuade the Grenadans to reconsider, Peking was forced (with obvious reluctance) to 'suspend' relations with Grenada on 7 August.
Taiwan's flexible diplomacy had scored a notable coup,
and its Embassy in Grenada was opened on 31 July.
5.
On 20 July, the authorities announced that they would be seeking help from Interpol (to which China and Taiwan both belong) in stopping what they claim to be a large flow of smuggled weapons from the mainland to Taiwan. According to the National Police Administration of Taiwan at least 33 people have been killed recently by weapons manufactured on the mainland and 153 such weapons confiscated from criminal gangs.
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
6.
The Grenada incident highlighted the success Taiwan has been having in improving its international position recently. The Foreign Minister, Lien Chan, made a successful overseas tour in the first part of the month. He first visited Egypt where he "met with many top officials" and was given a warm welcome. Then he went on to France to attend the bicentennial. He was invited by the Speaker of the French Legislature who hosted a lunch for him and other French Ministers. Taiwan claimed other improvements in its relations with France including the alleged relaxation of French restrictions on arms sales. After France, Lien Chan returned home via Norway, Austria, West Germany, Denmark and Thailand. The Taiwan
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