Taiwan conveyed its interest to boost economic exchanges with the Philippines as its government clarified the relevant travel policy for Filipino officials visiting the island for trade purposes.
In a statement released on Tuesday, 22nd April, Taiwanese minister of foreign affairs referred to the matter as a pragmatic move on the part of the Philippine government as it declared it would allow Taiwan to deepen substantive cooperation with their country.
Currently, Taiwan remains the Philippines’ eighth largest export market, ninth largest trading partner, and 10th largest source of imports.
Despite not having any formal diplomatic relations, the Philippines and Taiwan work together via commercial, economic, cultural and other unofficial contacts brokered through the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.
Relevant guidelines
Philippine executive secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Memorandum Circular (MC) 82 last 15th April, reinforcing the guidelines for travel limitations to Taiwan initially imposed under Executive Order 313 in 1989.
The MC was issued to maximise opportunities for the development and expansion of the Philippines’ priority areas of investments.
Under MC 82, Philippine government officials visiting Taiwan for economic, trade and investment purposes are allowed, provided they use their ordinary passports and without using their official titles.
Furthermore, they are required to inform, coordinate and submit a report about their visit to the MECO and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The MC also states that Philippine government officials and agencies may receive delegations from Taiwan for economic, trade and investment purposes, provided MECO is notified at least five days in advance.
However, it maintained that no agreements, memoranda of understanding, exchange of notes or similar documents can be signed with any Taiwanese organization or agency pending clearance from the DFA.
It also reiterated that travel restrictions apply strictly to the President, Vice President, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and Secretary of National Defense.
