Taiwan: Defensive Points
UK Taiwan Air Services: The UK side have passed a paper to the Chinese 'responding to the points raised by the Chinese in
discussions last February. This paper is to be discussed in
meetings on 20/21 February in Peking.
Taiwan / China / GATT: This was discussed by the Prime Minister and
Li Peng in New York. It is a matter for EC competence. There is no question of the UK or EC taking a line which would imply recognition of the Nationalist Authorities. Would welcome Chinese accession on basis of meeting normal criteria on economic / trade policy etc.
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Expansion of ATTC in Taipei: As a reflection of the growth in trade between the UK and Taiwan, the UK is expanding the ATTC. Two new UK
based staff members are to join the ATTC, one of them replacing the
soon to retire, current Director. These two new staff members will
have Civil Service backgrounds, but will be on secondment to the
ATTC. This in no way implies a change in our policy on recognition. Exactly same basis as eg Japan and US offices in Taiwan.
Meetings between Free Chinese Centre and FCO: No official meetings
take place between the Free Chinese Centre and the FCO. There are
times when members of the FC and members of the FCC find themselves
in the s ame place as the result of separate invitations by a third
party.
[Mr Davies recently had lunch with Raymond Tai, head of the FCC, at the invitation of Sir William Bentley ].
Visit of Mr Redwood, 23-26 February: Understand that Mr Redwood is to visit Taiwan for low-key, informal visit at end of February. Follows similar visits by French, Italians, Germans, Irish and Swedish Ministers. Fact finding visit to encourage UK exports and Taiwan inward i investment. No programme yet fixed. Cannot rule out
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Private notes are available after approval.