Manila: Taiwan has expressed its interest in strengthening economic exchanges with the Philippines following the clarification of travel policies for Filipino officials visiting the island for trade-related purposes. Taiwan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lin Chia-lung, described the move as a 'pragmatic step' by Manila, emphasizing that it would enable Taiwan to 'deepen substantive cooperation' with the Philippines.
According to Philippines News Agency, Taiwan is currently the Philippines' eighth-largest export market, ninth-largest trading partner, and 10th-largest source of imports. Despite the absence of diplomatic relations, the Philippines and Taiwan maintain commercial, economic, cultural, and other unofficial contacts through the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Memorandum Circular (MC) 82 on April 15, which delineates further guidelines for travel limitations to Taiwan initially imposed under Executive Order 313 in 1989. Released to the public on Monday, the MC aims to 'maximize opportunities for the development and expansion of the Philippines' priority areas of investments.'
Under MC 82, Philippine government officials are permitted to visit Taiwan for economic, trade, and investment purposes using their 'ordinary passports and without using their official titles.' These officials must inform, coordinate, and report their visits to the MECO and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The circular also permits Philippine government officials and agencies to receive delegations from Taiwan for economic, trade, and investment purposes, provided MECO is notified at least five days in advance. It further stipulates that no agreements, memoranda of understanding, exchange of notes, or similar documents can be signed with any Taiwanese organization or agency without clearance from the DFA.
The travel restrictions continue to apply strictly to the President, Vice President, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and Secretary of National Defense.
