The Taiwan representative offices of Hong Kong and Macau are expected to begin operations by mid-May, according to the ROC Mainland Affairs Council April 17.
The two special administrative regions of mainland China established temporary offices in Taipei December 2011, and their formal opening as the Macau Economic and Cultural Office and Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office will further cement ties with Taiwan, the MAC noted.
The offices are responsible for offering assistance to Hong Kong and Macau residents in Taiwan and promoting trade, tourism, culture, health and education exchanges between the SARs and Taiwan, according to the MAC. The Macau office will also contribute to cooperative crime-fighting efforts and mutual judicial assistance.
Both offices will see moving and renovation work concluded ahead of their upcoming opening ceremonies, a MAC official said.
Taiwan has seen heightened relations with the two SARs since the inking of the Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) in 2009. In July 2011, the ROC’s Hong Kong and Macau representative centers were upgraded from semiofficial establishments to Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices.
Hong Kong Financial Secretary John Tsang is expected to attend the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong office, sources said. (THN)
