The ROC and Liberia Restore Diplomatic Ties
ROC Foreign Minister Lien Chan announced on October 2 that the Republic of China and the Republic of Liberia have restored full diplomatic relations, and that both sides would sign a formal communique to that effect in Taiwan on October 9. The move was yet another diplomatic breakthrough for the ROC and follows up its establishment of ties with Grenada in July.
Liberia was founded in 1947 as the first republic in Africa. It first established diplomatic relations with the ROC in 1957, but it recognized the Chinese Communists on February 21, 1977, and the ROC severed relations two days later. After the announcement that the ROC and Liberia had reestablished diplomatic relations, the Communists submitted a letter of protest to Liberia on October 11 and broke off ties with the country.
The ROC Establishes Relations with Belize
Following its restoration of diplomatic ties with Liberia, the ROC announced on October 13 that it has established relations with the Central American country of Belize.
Belize, a British colony since 1862, was granted complete sovereignty over its internal affairs in 1964 and formally achieved independence on September 21, 1981, becoming a member of the Commonwealth and joining the United Nations.
Dalai Lama Wins the Nobel Prize
The Dalai Lama, the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet, won the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize on October 6.
Federation for Democracy in China Formed in Paris
Mainland China pro-democracy figures from more than 150 countries around the world gathered in Paris on September 22 to declare the establishment of the Federation for Democracy in China, chaired by Yen Chia-ch'i and vice chaired by Wu-er K'ai-hsi, to continue the common struggle toward democracy and human rights on mainland China.
Lee Huan Approves Working Points for Democracy Movement Figure to Resids on Taiwan
On September 26 Premier Lee Huan approved important present-stage working points for applications by mainland democracy movement figures to reside on Taiwan and forward ed them to the Ministry of the Interior for implementation.
The working points stipulate two conditions under which mainland pro-democracy figures may apply for residence on Taiwan: (1) persons whose outstanding action in leading the prodemocracy movement on the mainland or overseas is a concrete fact and have been listed by the Chinese Communists as objects for arrest; or (2) persons in immediate danger of being sent back to the mainland from the area in which they currently reside and being persecuted. All persons meeting either one of these two conditions can apply to come to Taiwan.
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