Malacañang reiterates ban on officials visiting Taiwan or meeting Taiwanese counterparts

Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang has reaffirmed long-standing restrictions on officials traveling to Taiwan or engaging with Taiwanese counterparts under a new directive.

Memorandum Circular 82, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and dated April 15, enforces and further prescribes guidelines to carry out Executive Order 313 (s. 1987), which prohibits official visits to Taiwan and restricts official activities involving Taiwanese representatives without clearance from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The directive is in line with the One China Policy, which recognizes the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as the sole legal government of China and considers Taiwan a part of Chinese territory. The Philippines maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan through the private entity Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), rather than through diplomatic channels.

The circular states that only the president, vice president, and Cabinet officials of the departments of Foreign Affairs (DFA), National Defense, and other top-level agencies are strictly prohibited from traveling to Taiwan or engaging with Taiwanese officials.

Other government officials who intend to visit Taiwan for economic, trade, or investment purposes may only do so using ordinary passports and must avoid using official titles. They are also required to inform MECO of the purpose of their visit and coordinate with the office during their trip.

Officials must also submit a report of their travel to both MECO and the DFA. Any planned meetings with Taiwanese delegations must be coordinated with MECO at least five days prior. MECO will also facilitate the reception of Taiwanese delegations to the Philippines for similar purposes.

Malacañang stated that no agreements, memoranda of understanding, or exchange of notes may be concluded with any Taiwanese agency or organization without clearance from the DFA and, if necessary, an authority to sign from the Office of the President.

The circular took effect immediately.