Philippines Softens Stance: Opens Doors for Official Exchanges with Taiwan

New Guidelines Pave the Way for Enhanced Economic and Trade Cooperation

Manila, April 21 - In a significant shift, the Philippine government has issued a directive allowing for increased official interaction with Taiwan, signaling a potential boost to economic and trade relations. The move, detailed in Memorandum Circular No. 82, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on April 15 and made public on Monday, aims to "further maximize opportunities for the development and expansion of the Philippines' priority areas of investment."

This circular amends Executive Order No. 313, a 1987 directive issued by then-President Corazon Aquino. The original order restricted government officials from visiting Taiwan or receiving Taiwanese delegations, adhering to the Philippines' "one-China policy" which recognizes the People's Republic of China over Taiwan (Republic of China) diplomatically.

Memorandum Circular 82 narrows the travel ban, now only applying to the President, Vice President, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and Secretary of National Defense. Other government officials can now travel to Taiwan for economic, trade, and investment purposes, but they must use their ordinary passports and refrain from using their official titles. They are also required to inform the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), the de facto Philippines embassy in Taiwan, and submit a report on their travel.

The circular also loosens guidelines for receiving Taiwanese delegations. Philippine government officials and agencies, through MECO, can now host Taiwanese delegations for economic, trade, and investment activities, provided they notify MECO at least five days prior and submit a post-visit report to MECO and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

However, some restrictions remain. Agreements or memoranda of understanding with Taiwanese organizations or agencies require clearance from the DFA and, if necessary, the Office of the President.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) welcomed the revised guidelines, stating that the decision could "further enhance bilateral cooperation." MOFA highlights that Taiwan is the Philippines' eighth-largest export market, ninth-largest trade partner, and 10th-largest source of imports.

The Philippines and Taiwan, despite severing official diplomatic ties in 1975, maintain close exchanges across various sectors. Manila also serves as the third largest source of migrant workers to Taiwan, with approximately 153,000 Filipinos residing in the country as of August 2024.