One of our main activities is organising and hosting Luncheon Briefings on pertinent topics of EU-Asia relations. Beginning with an informal lunch, the Briefings usually last for 1.5 hours, including questions.

Attendees include EIAS members and other interested parties.

Experts wishing to discuss a possible topic for a Luncheon Briefing are invited to contact EIAS Director Dr Willem van der Geest.

2004 Presidential Elections in Taiwan - Why the referendum?
Friday, 16 January 2004 from 12.30-14.30

European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS)
Rue des Deux Eglises 35, B-1000 Brussels
(Metro: Arts-Loi/Kunst-Wet)

Guest Speaker: Prof Chang Hsu-Cheng
Member, Legislative Yuan Taiwan and Presidential Advisor

Last December the Legislative Yuan of Taiwan passed a controversial referendum law. The referendum is expected to be called at the same time as the forthcoming Presidential elections on March 20th  2004.

It will focus on the threat that Taiwan faces from missiles on the Chinese mainland, calling for their removal. The referendum law has increased tensions across the Straits between China and Taiwan.

Professor Chang Hsu-Cheng will lead a delegation from Taiwan to visit the Belgian Senate, offering a perspective on the recent political developments in China-Taiwan relations. The delegation will discuss the motives for the recent vote in the Legislative Yuan.

Professor Chang Hsu-Cheng is an Abroad Member of the Legislative Yuan and Advisor to the Democratic Progressive Party. He has been a Professor of Political Science at Pennsylvania State    University since 1970 and was honoured with the 1992 Asian-American Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement.

Photographs of the Briefing