The ROC government has expressed its condolences on the death of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher April 8, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“She was a close friend of the ROC who made important contributions to the international community,” the MOFA said.
Thatcher died following a stroke in London, aged 87. Serving as prime minister from 1979 to 1990, Thatcher revitalized the British economy, led her country to victory in the Falklands War and started talks on the return of Hong Kong to mainland China, the ministry noted. She was named Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven in 1992.
During trips to Taiwan in 1992 and 1996, Thatcher repeatedly praised the country’s infrastructure developments. In April 1992 she made a special point of visiting retired Gen. Liu Fang-wu in New York to thank him for his part in helping rescue 7,000 British troops in the 1942 Battle of Yenangyaung in Myanmar. Liu was a regimental commander in the Chinese Expeditionary Force.
ROC President Ma Ying-jeou instructed the MOFA to convey the government’s condolences to Thatcher’s family through Taiwan’s representative office in London, the ministry said. “The ROC government has the highest respect for Thatcher’s accomplishments.” (THN)