But the main topics on Lien's agenda were no mystery: East Asia's economic turmoil and Taiwan-China relations.

CNN: Money for Influence?

The details were to have been fleshed out during "semi-official" Taiwan-China talks that were initiated in Singapore in 1993.

CNN: The Lowering of the Flag

After naval clashes with Vietnam and the Philippines -- which claim parts of the South China Sea alongside Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan -- China has further angered its neighbours by printing a map of its extensive maritime claim, known as the "nine-dotted line" in new passports.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS