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SV Diplomats seated. (2 shots)
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LV Aircraft off Runway.
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SV Car Arrives & Diplomat boards aircraft.
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SV Embassy official watches. (2 shots)
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Initials PBS/PN/SGM/0306



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The Italian government today (Friday) announced that it had officially established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. The announcement coincided with the departure of the Taiwan ambassador, Shao-Chang Hsu -- signifying an end to the diplomatic ties that existed between Nationalist China and Italy.

The announcement that Italy and the People's Republic of China had decide on establishing diplomatic relations was made in a joint announcement. The announcement said ambassadors would be exchanged within three months.

The agreement stipulates that Italy recognises the Peking regime as the only legitimate government of China, but refrains from giving an opinion on the status of Taiwan on The basis that the Italian government is incompetent of define the territorial limits of another state.