Taiwan wins more friends

SEVERAL Pacific states have been moving to forge closer links with Taiwan, apparently with a view to attracting greater investment u on \> th r growm B economic P ower on the Pacific Tonga and Solomon Islands already have full diplomatic relations Wlth Taiwan and visitors to the recent inauguration of President Lee eng-hui in Taipei included Fiji President Ratu Sir Penaia Gamlau and Nauru President Bernard Dowiyogo.

But the most outspoken friend of laiwan is Tonga’s King Taufa’ahau 1 upon IV (who also was m Taipei for t e inauguration), who has announced that the Kingdom will be opening a commercial ottice m the Taiwanese capital. in his recent speech at the opening of Parliament in Nukualofa, the King said laiwanese business interests would be

playing a more prominent role in Ton

gas economic development. Already

several companies from the Republic of China had expressed interest in setting up operations there.

Indications are that the Tongan Gov eminent will be forging a close link with Tatung Electric Company, one of the biggest in Taiwan and with operations in the United States and Britain. Tatung manufactures a wide range of electrical goods, including television sets, micro wave ovens, computers and fans. The King said the company runs training courses in electrical and electronic trades and this would mean Tongans would be able to take engineering and business courses to degree level with Tatung.

Taiwanese officials have recommended to the Tongan Government that a Tatung official be appointed as Taiwan’s

consul-general in Nukualofa.

The King said a wealthy Taiwanese businessman had offered to put up US$l million to pay for a Tonga com mercial office in Taipei, and that two companies from Taiwan had already de cided to open factories in Tonga one to manufacture shoes, the other luggage and travel goods.

There is also the prospect of Friendly Island Airways acquiring a DC-8 iet air craft with financing from Taiwan.

Meanwhile, Taiwan has announced it has signed a three-year technical co operation agreement with Fiji. Taiwan will send a six-man agricultural mission to Fiji to assist in farm development there, including the use of farm machin ery, maintenance of fishing boats and new techniques for the cultivation of vegetables. □