Taiwan said yesterday it welcomes Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang’s (曾蔭權) plans to visit and open an office here.
“Hong Kong conducts economic exchanges with Taiwan, the Republic of China [ROC]. If it respects our ROC, our Taiwan, we welcome [Tsang] to visit Taiwan for economic and cultural exchanges,” Premier Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) said.
In his annual policy report to Hong Kong’s Legislative Council on Wednesday, Tsang unveiled a series of measures, including the establishment of a multi-purpose office in Taiwan at an appropriate time, to enhance the territory’s relations with Taiwan.
At a press conference held following the council’s meeting, Tsang also said he hoped to visit Taiwan before his term expires in 2012.
While fielding question from lawmakers at a separate setting yesterday, Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairwoman Lai Shin-yuan (賴幸媛) said: “The MAC welcomes all measures aimed at increasing visits by officials and exchanges between Taiwan and Hong Kong.”
As for the MAC’s proposed office in Hong Kong, Lai said: “The MAC will see what kind of office it would be.”
The council has allocated NT$10 million (US$310,000) to establish a Taiwan-Hong Kong Economic and Cultural Cooperation Promotion Committee based on agreements reached between the two sides.
The committee would serve as a major platform to strengthen Taiwan-Hong Kong exchanges, but the details will become clearer after it has been formally inaugurated, she said.
Lai also called on Hong Kong authorities to simplify visa procedures for Taiwanese.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SHIH HSIU-CHUAN
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