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Hong Kong approves top Taiwanese envoy's work permit

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January 21, 2001 

TAIPEI--(AP) - Taiwan's top envoy to Hong Kong has been granted a work visa by the authorities there after more than a year's delay, the government said Saturday.

Granting of the work permit to Chang Liang-jen was the result of joint efforts by authorities in Taiwan and Hong Kong, said Lin Chong-pin, vice chairman of Taiwan's government Mainland Affairs Council.

"It was a display of goodwill by Hong Kong, and this will have a positive effect on relations," Lin told reporters.

Chang, a vice secretary general of the semi-official Straits Exchange Foundation, will head the Chung Hwa Travel Service, Taiwan's de facto representative office in Hong Kong.

Chang was appointed to the job in December 1999 to succeed Cheng An-kuo.

Cheng was recalled after he annoyed Hong Kong officials by openly defending former Taiwanese President Lee Teng-hui's declaration that Taiwan and China had "special state-to-state relations."

Hong Kong, which was handed over to China by Britain in 1997, has backed Beijing's claim that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China that should be reunified with the mainland eventually.

In another sign of improving relations between Taiwan and Hong Kong, Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou will head a delegation to visit the territory Feb. 11, officials said.

During the four-day trip, Ma will inspect infrastructure and other projects and will likely meet Hong Kong's chief executive Tung Chee-hwa, officials said.