TAIPEI (Taiwan News)—The Office of the President of the Philippines issued a memorandum on Monday easing decades-old restrictions on official exchanges with Taiwan. 

According to the Philippine government's Official Gazette, Memorandum Circular No. 82 allows any Philippine government official—except for the president, vice president, secretary of foreign affairs, and secretary of national defense— to visit Taiwan for economic, trade, and investment promotion purposes, provided they use ordinary passports and refrain from using official titles. They must also coordinate with the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei during their travels in Taiwan.

Additionally, officials can host Taiwanese delegations with prior notification to MECO and the Department of Foreign Affairs. The move is intended “to further maximize opportunities for the development and expansion of the Philippines’ priority area of investments,” the memorandum said. It was signed on April 15 and came into immediate effect.

Philippines officials were previously barred from traveling to Taiwan or receiving visiting Taiwanese officials under Executive Order No. 313, which was issued in 1989 by then-President Corazon Aquino.

Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) commended the Philippine government for its pragmatic approach to enhancing relations. The new policy will help Taiwan deepen cooperation with the Philippines under its comprehensive diplomatic strategy, the foreign ministry said.

The ministry said Taiwan is the Philippines' eighth-largest export market and 10th-largest import source. “Taiwan will continue to work hand in hand with the Philippines and other democratic allies to contribute to regional prosperity, peace, and stability,” it added.