IN spite of the souring of relations across the Taiwan Strait, a high-level trade delegation from Taipei is now in Beijing and will have a chance to meet top Chinese leaders.
Head of Taiwan's delegation to the Pacific Economic Co-operation Council, Jeffrey Koo, and director-general of Taiwan's Board of Foreign Trade, Lin Yi-fu, are attending the council's general meeting.
Mr Koo will have the opportunity to meet premier Li Peng and Vice-Premier Zhu Rongji.
'The Taiwan Foreign Ministry has not told me to avoid meeting Chinese leaders alone,' said Mr Koo.
He yesterday met Vice-President Rong Yiren at the opening ceremony of the conference along with other delegation leaders. However, Mr Koo did not have any private discussions.
A meeting between premier Li and the delegates has been scheduled for tomorrow. Mr Zhu will also give a speech.