Cross-strait relations have greatly improved since Ma Ying-jeou was elected Taiwan's president. To be politically correct, the Hong Kong government has had to respond. Hence, soon after Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-shing's informal visit to the island, Stephen Lam Sui-lung, the secretary for constitutional and mainland affairs, achieved a breakthrough by becoming the first minister of the Hong Kong government to visit Taiwan in his formal capacity.
During the colonial era, Hong Kong government officials treated ties with Taiwan as taboo. They normally avoided visiting the island, even for a holiday. Taiwan-related issues were referred to the political adviser to the governor on foreign affairs, a British Foreign Office official from London.
When the special administrative region was established, Hong Kong's first chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa, appointed Paul Yip Kwok-wah as his special adviser, with responsibility for Taiwan relations. However, Mr Yip failed to secure the support of the civil service and did not accomplish much.
During the Chen Shui-bian administration, from 2000 to 2008, cross-strait relations suffered a severe setback, and Hong Kong-Taiwan ties again became taboo for the government. But with the implementation of the 'three links' (mail, trade and transport) under the Ma administration, the tide has turned and the normalisation of Hong Kong-Taiwan ties has become inevitable.
Taiwan appears to be more enthusiastic, because its government has an obligation to take care of the interests of the Taiwanese business community in Hong Kong.
With his Taiwan visit, Mr Lam has established a semi-official platform to promote trade and economic co-operation between Hong Kong and Taiwan.