In a move certain to anger Beijing, Taiwan's Kuomintang secretary-general, John Chang Hsiao-yen, yesterday confirmed spending the weekend with Philippine President Fidel Ramos.
Mr Chang, arriving at Taipei's international airport with his wife, Helen, said Mr Ramos was an 'old friend of many years' who had invited them to spend a private weekend holiday in Manila.
'The itinerary, of a private holiday nature, was purely arranged at the private invitation of President Ramos,' he said.
Mr Chang's remarks conflicted with an earlier denial issued by Mr Ramos' office in Manila.
'The President did not have such a meeting yesterday and none is scheduled today or tomorrow,' said an aide to Mr Ramos' appointments secretary.
But last night, Mr Chang told Taiwan's state-funded Central News Agency he had played golf with Mr Ramos and had dinner with him.