Tien Hung-mao sworn in as Taiwan's envoy to UK

Taipei's new representative to the UK, Tien Hung-mao (田弘茂), was sworn in yesterday during a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, becoming the first former foreign minister to be appointed Taiwan's de facto ambassador to London.

"Aside from enhancing the role London can play in helping Taiwan expand relations with the European Union, I will also focus on Taipei-London bilateral ties," Tien told reporters after the ceremony.

When asked about the ministry's handling of a deficit of nearly US$30,000 in the accounts of the representative office in London, Tien said: "After I assume office, everything will start from zero."

"The ministry and I have reached such an understanding," he said.

A full-time, professional accountant will also be dispatched to London to take charge of the office's accounts, Tien added.

The new envoy was tight-lipped when asked about the cause of the London office's deficit, although he said the ministry had already taken note of the shortage of professional accountants posted to Taipei's embassies and overseas representative offices.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Eugene Chien (簡又新) was Taiwan's envoy to London from 1993 to 1997, after stepping down as minister of transportation and communications in 1993.

Tien is scheduled to formally take up his new job on April 26, sources said.