TNAG-2794-FCO40-4034-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Taiwan-1993 — Page 44

g)

h)

CONFIDENTIAL

the inauguration of direct flights should increase the

number of businessmen and others who travel between Taiwan

and Britain. There are already 80,000 visitors in both

directions. The Taiwanese have been pressing for some improvements in their visa operation here to simplify procedures. We are submitting separately with recommendations that the TRO be allowed to stamp their "visas" directly into UK passports and to issue replacement

"Republic of China passports" in London.

The Taiwanese frequently press us for privileges and

immunities such as exemption from income tax and duty free

imports in return for what they give our staff in Taipei.

But our hands are tied by UK legislation; such privileges are available only to diplomatic missions recognised under

the terms of the Vienna Convention. But we have managed a

small concession recently by issuing the TRO with two

airside passes.

We can also remove one further niggle.

The TRO is currently subject to a ceiling on staff of 10.

We can see little point in this limitation now, and it will

become meaningless if the Taiwanese amalgamate their three

offices here as we believe they intend. I recommend that

at an appropriate time we remove the ceiling or at least

raise it.

Tactical Handling

12. The above steps would continue the steady progress we have

already made to develop a more normal framework in which to pursue our interests in Taiwan. In some cases, the best

opportunity to make a move is already clear eg recommendation

lla) above. In others such as 11b), we shall need to wait for

the right opportunity. In relation to Chinese sensitivities, we

shall need to avoid any sudden rush of new measures which would

SBTAIWAN

CONFIDENTIAL