In the first half of October, ROC Vice President Lien Chan paid a visit to Europe. After his itinerary was revealed, it inevitably met with intense pressure from Beijing. The result was that this journey, originally to have covered northern, central and southern Europe and intended to build friendly foreign relations with the three countries of Iceland, Austria and Spain, lost Spain as a destination. Lien Chan expressed regret, but was consequently more determined than ever "to go forth."

This tour, the second visit of a top-ranking ROC official to a European country with which Taiwan does not have diplomatic ties, was completed when Lien Chan returned home on October 13, after an eight-day personal journey of friendship to his principal destinations of Iceland and Austria, as well as transit through Holland. This was the first occasion for Lien Chan to visit a foreign country since he took up exclusive duty as vice president, and it was his fourth visit to Europe altogether. Although he was unable to visit Spain, Lien Chan was rather satisfied with his journey to Iceland and Austria, saying, "We have been greeted with courtesy like we have never experienced before, and we treasure this time of friendship very much." Iceland is the only northern European country in which the ROC has not established a trade and public relations office. In a private capacity, Lien Chan met with Iceland's prime minister David Oddson in an "evening banquet away from the capital city."

Departing from Iceland, Vice President Lien and his wife proceeded to Austria, enjoying a short one-day stay at the famous ski resort Innsbruck. Originally, they had intended to continue to Spain, where they planned to pay a visit on their long-time acquaintance Philip of Spain's royal family. However, with the Spanish leg of their journey suddenly canceled, Mr. and Mrs. Lien returned home directly.

The reason for the change in their itinerary was that, like every other previous foreign excursion by top-ranking officials of the ROC, Vice President Lien's trip was met the entire way with pressure from Beijing. Firstly, after the senior officials of the ROC and Iceland met, PRC foreign affairs spokesman Shen Guofang issued a strongly worded criticism. He asserted that Prime Minister Oddson was interfering in "the internal affairs of China" and damaging relations between the PRC and Iceland, and that Iceland would be responsible for the consequences.

Prime Minister Oddson was perplexed by Beijing's vehement protest, because he had recently expressed to PRC Premier Li Peng his intentions to strengthen economic ties with Taiwan and at that time had encountered no objections. Oddson responded that Iceland had always supported the "One China" policy, and this visit by Lien Chan was in the capacity of a private individual; he had had no intention of provoking Beijing on this occasion. However, he emphasized that the government of Iceland has the right to decide to allow the visit of anyone they wish, and he asserted that in fact it was Beijing which was interfering in the internal affairs of Iceland.

Spain, which also came under pressure from Beijing, came forward at the last minute with the wish that Lien Chan's visit be "temporarily delayed." Although the Spanish government did not offer any detailed explanations, they did express that they had received "unprecedented" pressure, and hoped that the ROC could be understanding. It has been reported that the annual trade volume between Spain and mainland China is more than four times higher than that between Spain and Taiwan. The two countries also share 44 joint-venture companies. Trade benefits were perhaps the principal implement Beijing used to threaten Spain. In fact, in September, Spain opened a trading office in Shanghai, and apparently trade between the two countries is at a high level.

In spite of the cancellation of his visit to Spain, Vice President Lien was able to reap some substantial harvests from his journey. In Iceland, not only did he observe such academic institutions as universities and libraries, he made many practical observations of the quality of life and social infrastructure of Iceland, where the average income is nearly twice as high as Taiwan's. And Lien Chan was able to meet with Prime Minister Oddson and discuss the increase of technological cooperation and trade, tourism and academic exchange. Lien Chan offered high praise for Iceland's quality of life, expressing the view that Taiwan could learn from Iceland's example.

Taiwan currently exports bicycles, car and computer components, and other products to Iceland. In the future, it may increase sales of domestic consumer goods. And Iceland, situated in very northerly latitudes, is a rich source of high-quality seafood products, such as salmon, deep-sea gurnard and Greenland shrimp. Seafood is the largest category of products which Taiwan imports from Iceland, the main variety being giant Greenland sole. Recently, Taiwan's imports of Icelandic seafood have been on the rise, and Taiwan has become Iceland's second largest trading partner in Asia, next to Japan.

In addition, the scenic splendors of Iceland's arctic topography also await the admiration of Taiwan's travelers. And to increase mutual exchange, there is a significant need for the ROC to establish an office in Iceland. Lien Chan stated that high officials of both countries have reached a strong consensus on this issue, but it will require further planning.

Through long-term arrangements by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overseas representative offices, Vice President Lien Chan conducted his second visit to Europe under the low profile of a "holiday" and "private visit." He made substantive, face-to-face contact with a nation with which the ROC does not have diplomatic ties, and established the critical beginnings of friendship and progressive exchange. The incessant actions of Beijing are additional proof of the barriers which the ROC currently faces in foreign relations. The expansion of Taiwan's international space requires the universal recognition and support of all the country's people.

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During his visit to Iceland, Vice President Lien Chan made many observations of the local people and institutions, and exchanged opinions with both public and private individuals. Our picture shows a dinner he gave in Reykjavik for local parliamentarians friendly to the ROC. (photo by Yang Yung-shan)