Unveiling of revamped Taiwan centre symbolises warming of relations

• published: 30 Jul 2015
• views: 0

1. Various of unveiling of plaque marking opening of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, with Jeff Yang (left), Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, and Lai Shin-yun (right), Minister of the Executive Yuan's Mainland Affairs Council 2. Cutaway of photographer 3. Lai Shin-yuan unveiling of sign on wall of office, AUDIO: applause 4. Close of plaque reading (English and Mandarin) "Taipei Economic and Cultural Office", then pull back to wide of ceremony 5. Lai Shin-yuan standing beside plaque 6. Lai Shin-yuan speaking to media 7. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Lai Shin-yuan, Minister of the Executive Yuan's Mainland Affairs Council: "From now on, the office will operate under the name of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Hong Kong. This is such significant progress. I believe that this change will provide both Hong Kong people and Taiwanese with better and more effective service." 8. Various cutaways of reporter 9. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Lai Shin-yuan, Minister of the Executive Yuan's Mainland Affairs Council: "There are 116 countries that give Taiwan visa-free access. The Hong Kong government also gives visa-free access to more than 170 territories. There is no any reason not to quickly give Taiwan visa-free access." 10. Media speaking to Lai Shin-yuan STORYLINE: Taiwan has renamed its representative office in Hong Kong - a sign of the increasingly warm relations between the two sides. A ceremony was held to mark the opening of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office on Wednesday. The office was formerly called the Chung Hwa Travel Service. Established in 1966, it handled visas for travel to Taiwan. Unveiling first a memorial plaque and then the office's new name, Lai Shin-yuan, a minister in Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, said the name change was significant progress. "I believe that this change will provide both Hong Kong people and Taiwanese with better and more effective service," she said. She also spoke to reporters about visa-free travel. "There are 116 countries that give Taiwan visa-free access," she said. "The Hong Kong government also gives visa-free access to more than 170 territories. There is no any reason not to quickly give Taiwan visa-free access." Despite the warming ties between Hong Kong and Taiwan, China continues to claim the latter as part of its territory. Beijing remains committed to bringing about unification by persuasion if possible, by force if necessary. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/17ac9fd007a5779b5582838196229b92 Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork