Public contact to be allowed between China, Taiwan officials abroad
ROC Central News Agency
Taipei, Jan. 1 (CNA) Taiwan officials stationed in foreign countries might soon be allowed to make public contact with Chinese diplomatic officials and media personnel, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is preparing a set of guidelines to deal with a range of such circumstances, a MOFA official said Thursday.
According to the official, the ministry has been drafting the directive based on opinions submitted by Taiwan officials stationed around the world.
"Based on the principles of security and parity, the existing 'no-contact' restriction will be eased to allow Taiwan's diplomats and officials in overseas posts to meet Chinese officials in public," he said.
In the future, Taiwan's foreign-based officials will be allowed to contact Chinese officials and to be interviewed by Chinese media outlets on public occasions, but private one-on-one meetings will remain off-limits, the official said.
"This would mark a major breakthrough in bilateral relations, " he added.
Upon completion, the set of guidelines will be referred to the Executive Yuan for approval, the official said.
Taiwan-China relations have improved markedly since President Ma Ying-jeou took office in May 2008, thanks to a series of initiatives, including the launch of direct air and shipping links across the Taiwan Strait on Dec. 15.
China has viewed Taiwan as a renegade province since the end of a Chinese civil war in 1949, and has threatened to use force against the island if it moves toward de-jure independence. (By Flor Wang) Enditem /pc
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