SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant [ ]
Filed by a party other than the Registrant [X]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12
THE R.O.C. TAIWAN FUND
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In its Charter)
LAXEY PARTNERS LIMITED
THE VALUE CATALYST FUND LIMITED
LP VALUE LIMITED
LAXEY UNIVERSAL VALUE L.P.
LAXEY INVESTORS, L.P.
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and
0-11.
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
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Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
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LAXEY PARTNERS LTD
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Stanley House o 7-9 Market Hill o Douglas o Isle of Man IM1 2BF
Tel. 01624 690900 Fax. 01624 690901
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD TODAY!
Dear Fellow Shareholder of The R.O.C. Taiwan Fund (the "Trust"):
Laxey Partners Limited, an Isle of Man company, is seeking your
support, at the Trust's 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual
Meeting"), to vote
o TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY for the election of each of the Trust's
nominees to the Board of Trustees (the "Board"),
o FOR the proposal to convert the Trust from a closed-end investment
company to an open-end investment company and certain related matters,
and
o FOR Laxey's proposal to terminate the Investment Advisory Contract
among the Trust, International Investment Trust Company Limited (the
"Adviser") and the Central Trust of China (the "Investment Advisory
Contract"). Laxey's proposal is not included in the Trust's proxy
statement.
Laxey Partners Limited is the manager of The Value Catalyst Fund
Limited, a Cayman Islands company ("Catalyst"), LP Value Limited, a British
Virgin Islands company ("LPV"), Laxey Universal Value L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership ("LUV") and Laxey Investors, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership
("LILP" and, collectively with Laxey Partners Limited, Catalyst, LPV and LUV,
"Laxey"). Laxey believes that it is the second largest beneficial owner of
shares of beneficial interest (the "Shares") of the Trust. As of the date of
this letter, Laxey beneficially owns approximately 12.15% of the outstanding
Shares.
THE BOARD AND THE ADVISER SHOULD NOT ESCAPE
ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE SHAREHOLDERS FOR THEIR
FAILURE TO MAXIMIZE SHAREHOLDER VALUE
Laxey believes that neither the Board nor the Adviser has maximized the
value of the Shares or has proposed any meaningful actions to reduce the
significant discounts to net asset value ("NAV") at which the Shares have traded
for many years. The Trust's investment performance has been poor, especially
compared to its investment category. According to Morningstar, the Trust's
market return for 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 (through May 30) has been -43.0%,
4.1%, -14.7% and -4.4%, respectively, which has trailed the market return of
their category by -7.5%, -3.6%, -22.5% and -13.7%, respectively. In addition to
this poor performance, for seven of the past eight years (during all of which
time the Trust was managed by the Adviser) the average discount from NAV at
which the Shares trade has been greater than 10%. Although the discount has
recently narrowed, this did not occur until after Laxey's intention to submit a
proposal was first made public. In the event that Laxey's proposal is not
adopted, the shareholders of the Trust (the "Shareholders") should be aware that
it is possible that the discounts to NAV will return to their historical
double-digit levels shortly after the Annual Meeting.
Laxey believes that the Board instead has sought to protect the status
quo and to protect the Adviser from having its poor performance judged by the
Shareholders. Among other things, the Board has implored Shareholders to vote
against the conversion of the Trust to an open-end investment company on seven
occasions from 1995 to 2002. Moreover, the Board has failed to offer
Shareholders any concrete proposals since 1996, such as an interval fund
structure, to maximize Shareholder value and liquidity.
From the moment it was first submitted by Laxey, the Trust vigorously
has sought to deny the Shareholders the opportunity to vote on Laxey's proposal
to terminate the Investment Advisory Contract. The Trust announced that Laxey's
proposal would not be considered at the Annual Meeting and then, in a series of
letters to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), the
Trust sought to justify its decision to exclude Laxey's proposal. Despite all of
its efforts, the Trust was unable to persuade the Commission to permit the
exclusion of Laxey's proposal.
The Board and the Adviser have failed to maximize Shareholder value,
and it is time for the Shareholders to replace the Adviser and send a strong
message to the Board that its continuation in office should be evaluated in
light of its failure to offer Shareholders any way to maximize Shareholder
value. If the Shareholders wish the opportunity to permanently reduce the
discount from NAV for their Shares, rather than continue to suffer the Trust's
historical levels of discount from NAV, then Laxey urges the Shareholders to
support Laxey and vote TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY for the election of each of the
Trust's nominees, FOR the proposal to convert the Trust from a closed-end
investment company to an open-end investment company and FOR Laxey's proposal to
terminate the Investment Advisory Contract.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD IN THE
POSTAGE-PREPAID ENVELOPE THAT HAS BEEN PROVIDED. You should not return any proxy
card sent to you by the Trust if you wish to vote TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY for the
election of each of the Trust's nominees, FOR the proposal to convert the Trust
from a closed-end investment company to an open-end investment company and FOR
Laxey's proposal to terminate the Investment Advisory Contract.
If you have already returned the proxy card sent to you by the Trust,
you have the right to REVOKE that proxy by signing, dating and mailing a
later-dated GOLD proxy card in the envelope provided. The Trust's proposals are
included on Laxey's GOLD proxy card. A GOLD proxy card that is returned to Laxey
will be voted as you indicate on it. If a GOLD proxy card is returned without a
vote indicated thereon, the Shares represented thereby will be voted TO WITHHOLD
AUTHORITY for the election of each of the Trust's nominees, FOR the proposal to
convert the Trust from a closed-end investment company to an open-end investment
company and FOR Laxey's proposal to terminate the Investment Advisory Contract.
In addition, a GOLD proxy card will be voted in the proxy holders' discretion
with respect to such other matters as may properly come before the meeting. If
you have any questions, please contact Morrow & Co., Inc., who is assisting with
this solicitation, toll free at 800-607-0088.
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The Annual Meeting is scheduled for June 24, 2003 and it is important
that you send in your GOLD proxy card immediately.
Thank you for your cooperation in helping to cause the Trust to
maximize value on behalf of all of the Shareholders.
Sincerely yours,
/s/ Andrew Pegge
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Andrew Pegge
Director
Laxey Partners Limited
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LAXEY PARTNERS LIMITED
PROXY STATEMENT
IN OPPOSITION TO THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF
THE R.O.C. TAIWAN FUND
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2003 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
OF
THE R.O.C. TAIWAN FUND
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PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD
This proxy statement and the enclosed gold proxy card are being
furnished to shareholders (the "Shareholders") of The R.O.C. Taiwan Fund, a
Massachusetts business trust (the "Trust"), by Laxey Partners Limited, an Isle
of Man company, on behalf of itself and four of its managed companies, The Value
Catalyst Fund Limited, a Cayman Islands company ("Catalyst"), LP Value Limited,
a British Virgin Islands company ("LPV"), Laxey Universal Value L.P., a Delaware
limited partnership ("LUV") and Laxey Investors, L.P., a Delaware limited
partnership ("LILP" and, collectively with Laxey Partners Limited, Catalyst, LPV
and LUV, "Laxey"), in connection with the solicitation of proxies from
Shareholders to be used at the 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Annual
Meeting"), including any adjournments or postponements thereof and any special
meeting which may be called in lieu thereof, to vote
o TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY for the election of each of the Nominees (as
defined herein) to the Board of Trustees (the "Board"),
o FOR the proposal to convert the Trust from a closed-end investment
company to an open-end investment company, and
o FOR Laxey's proposal to terminate the Investment Advisory Contract
among the Trust, International Investment Trust Company Limited and the
Central Trust of China (the "Investment Advisory Contract"), at the
Annual Meeting. Laxey's proposal is not included in the Trust's proxy
statement. See Schedule I "Information About Participants" for further
information regarding the participants in this solicitation.
The Trust's principal executive office is located at 167 Fu Hsing North
Road, 17th Floor, Taipei, Taiwan Republic of China. This proxy statement and the
enclosed gold proxy card are first being furnished to the Shareholders on or
about June 6, 2003.
The Trust has established a record date of May 5, 2003 (the "Record
Date") for determining Shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the
Annual Meeting and June 24, 2003 as the date of the Annual Meeting. The Annual
Meeting will be held at the offices of Paul,
Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, 24th Floor, 1285 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, New York on Tuesday, June 24, 2003 at 9:30 a.m., New York City time.
Each Shareholder of record at the close of business on the Record Date will be
entitled to one vote at the Annual Meeting for each Share (as defined below)
held by such Shareholder on the Record Date. Laxey beneficially owns an
aggregate of 3,973,600 shares of beneficial interest (each, a "Share" and
collectively, the "Shares") of the Trust, which represents approximately 12.15%
of the Shares outstanding (based on the most recent Share information publicly
disclosed by the Trust). Laxey and all of the participants intend to vote all of
their Shares at the Annual Meeting TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY for the election of
each of the Nominees, FOR the proposal to convert the Trust from a closed-end
investment company to an open-end investment company and FOR Laxey's proposal to
terminate the Investment Advisory Contract.
THIS SOLICITATION IS BEING MADE BY LAXEY AND NOT ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
OR MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST.
Laxey is soliciting proxies to vote:
o TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY for the election of each of the Nominees to the Board
because it believes that such a vote will send the Board a strong message
that its actions to date have been ineffectual at best in maximizing
Shareholder value, and that its continuation in office should be evaluated
in light of its failure to offer Shareholders any way to maximize
Shareholder value;
o FOR the proposal to convert the Trust from a closed-end investment company
to an open-end investment company because Laxey believes that such a vote
would send a clear message to the Board that the Shareholders desire the
adoption of a mechanism to provide true Shareholder value and liquidity;
and
o FOR Laxey's proposal to terminate the Investment Advisory Contract because
Laxey believes that neither the Board nor the Adviser has maximized the
value of the Shares or has proposed any meaningful actions to reduce the
significant discounts to net asset value ("NAV") at which the Shares have
traded for many years. According to Morningstar, the Trust's market return
for 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 (through May 30) has been -43.0%, 4.1%,
-14.7% and -4.4%, respectively, which has trailed the market return of
their category by -7.5%, -3.6%, -22.5% and -13.7%, respectively. In
addition to this poor performance, for seven of the past eight years
(during all of which time the Trust was managed by the Adviser) the average
discount from NAV at which the Shares trade has been greater than 10%.
To Laxey's knowledge, there are no other matters scheduled to be voted
upon at the Annual Meeting. In the event other proposals are brought before the
Annual Meeting of which Laxey is not made aware within a reasonable amount of
time prior to the Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxies in the enclosed
GOLD proxy card will vote on such matters in their discretion.
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IMPORTANT!
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT, NO MATTER HOW MANY OR HOW FEW SHARES YOU OWN.
LAXEY URGES YOU TO SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD TODAY TO
VOTE TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THE TRUST'S NOMINEES, FOR
THE PROPOSAL TO CONVERT THE TRUST FROM A CLOSED-END INVESTMENT COMPANY TO AN
OPEN-END INVESTMENT COMPANY AND FOR LAXEY'S PROPOSAL TO TERMINATE THE INVESTMENT
ADVISORY CONTRACT.
IF YOUR SHARES ARE REGISTERED IN YOUR OWN NAME, PLEASE SIGN AND DATE
THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT TO LAXEY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE
TODAY. IF ANY OF YOUR SHARES ARE HELD IN THE NAME OF A BROKERAGE FIRM, BANK,
BANK NOMINEE OR OTHER INSTITUTION ON THE RECORD DATE, ONLY IT CAN VOTE SUCH
SHARES AND ONLY UPON RECEIPT OF YOUR SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS. ACCORDINGLY, PLEASE
SIGN, DATE AND RETURN YOUR GOLD PROXY CARD IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED AND CONTACT
THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR ACCOUNT AND INSTRUCT THAT PERSON TO EXECUTE ON
YOUR BEHALF THE GOLD PROXY CARD.
If you have any questions regarding your proxy, or need assistance in
voting your Shares, please call:
Morrow & Co., Inc.
445 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Call toll free: 800-607-0088
Bankers and Brokers Call Collect: 212-754-8000
3
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF TRUSTEES
As indicated in the Trust's proxy statement, the Board has been divided
into three classes. At the Annual Meeting, the Shareholders will be asked to
elect three trustees of the Trust to hold office until the 2006 Annual Meeting
of Shareholders (or thereafter until their respective successors are elected and
qualified). The Board has nominated Messrs. Alex Hammond-Chambers, Edward B.
Collins and Cheng-Cheng Tung for reelection as trustees of the Trust (the
"Nominees"). Laxey is urging all Shareholders TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY for
reelection of each of the Nominees.
The Trust argues in its proxy statement that, while the Adviser has not
been able to eliminate the Shares' tendency to trade at a discount to NAV, the
Adviser has "had a favorable effect on Shareholder relations by keeping major
Shareholders informed concerning the Trust's investment strategies and
policies." Laxey is one of the largest beneficial owners of Shares, and,
although Laxey can only speak for itself, Laxey strongly disagrees that the
Adviser has had a favorable effect on Shareholder relations. If the Board and
the Adviser were serious in improving Shareholder relations, they would have
taken concrete actions, such as offering an internal fund structure, to
maximize Shareholder value and liquidity.
The Trust states in its proxy statement that the Board has considered
alternative proposals, such as share repurchase programs, and that they are
unlikely to significantly affect the discount to NAV at which the Shares trade.
We strongly disagree. Depending upon certain factors, including the amount and
the frequency of shares being repurchased, Laxey believes that the interval
structure has the effect of significantly and permanently reducing the discount
to NAV. Taking into account the Trust's proposed redemption fee of 0.5%, that
would allow for an interval fund to make repurchases at up to 99.5% of NAV.
However, an interval structure does have the potential to make the fund smaller
and thus reduce investment advisory fees, which apparently is not palatable to
the Board and the Adviser. Laxey believes that the Board is not sufficiently
focused on maximizing Shareholder value and liquidity and furthermore is
protecting the Advisor from having its performance judged by the Shareholders.
Laxey believes that, by withholding their votes for reelection of each
of the Nominees, Shareholders will send the Board a strong message that its
actions to date have been ineffectual at best in maximizing Shareholder value,
and that its continuation in office should be evaluated in light of its failure
to offer Shareholders any way to maximize Shareholder value.
The Trust's proxy statement contains information regarding: (a)
ownership of Shares by trustees and executive officers of the Trust and by other
persons who own more than 5% of the outstanding Shares, (b) meetings of the
Board and certain committees thereof, (c) background of the trustees of the
Trust (including the Nominees) and executive officers, (d) compensation paid and
payable to the trustees and executive officers of the Trust, and (e) committees
of the Board and their responsibilities. We urge you to review the Trust's proxy
materials concerning these matters.
4
Because reelection of each of the Nominees will require the vote of a
plurality of the votes cast by the holders of Shares present in person or
represented by proxy at a meeting with a quorum present, it is unlikely that
Shareholders withholding their votes will result in the defeat of the candidacy
of any Nominee (unless other candidates are proposed for election at the Annual
Meeting). One-third of the Trust's outstanding Shares, present in person or
represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, will constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business at the Annual Meeting.
Laxey recommends a vote TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY for the reelection of the
Nominees to the Board.
PROPOSAL 2
CONVERSION OF THE TRUST FROM A CLOSED-END INVESTMENT COMPANY
TO AN OPEN-END INVESTMENT COMPANY
As indicated in the Trust's proxy statement, the Trust's Amended and
Restated Declaration of Trust and By-Laws provide that the Board is required to
submit to the Shareholders a binding resolution to convert the Trust into an
open-end investment company if the Shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange
at an average discount from NAV of more than 10% during any twelve-week period
beginning after the most recent such vote (the Shareholders have voted on such a
resolution seven times, in 1995 and in each of the years from 1997 through
2002). According to the Trust's proxy statement, during each of the twelve-week
periods beginning June 23, 2002 and ended May 16, 2003, the Shares traded at an
average discount of greater than 10%. Such average discount ranged from 17.74%
for the twelve weeks ended October 18, 2002 to 10.48% for the twelve weeks ended
May 16, 2003. Accordingly, the Shareholders will now be given the eighth
opportunity to vote on a resolution to convert the Trust from a closed-end
investment company to an open-end investment company. The Trust has implored the
Shareholders to vote against all eight resolutions, including the current
resolution.
Laxey is in favor of the resolution to convert the Trust from a
closed-end investment company to an open-end investment company for the
following reasons:
o The open-ending of the Trust is consistent with Laxey's objective
for Shareholders to be able to realize a minimum of at least 98% of NAV
for their Shares, especially in the absence of any other concrete
proposals from the Trust which would accomplish the same objective.
o The open-ending of the Trust will send a clear message to the Board
that the Shareholders desire the adoption of a mechanism to provide
true Shareholder value and liquidity.
o The open-ending of the Trust is an effective means of eliminating
the discount to NAV at which the Shares have traded over the last seven
years.
Information regarding the resolution to convert the Trust from a
closed-end investment company to an open-end investment company is set forth in
the Trust's proxy statement. We
5
note that this information is voluminous, accounting for approximately ten pages
of the Trust's proxy statement. We urge you to review the Trust's proxy
materials carefully on this matter. For all of the Trust's arguments against
open-ending the Trust, the bottom line is that neither the Board nor the Adviser
is willing to advocate any meaningful actions to reduce the significant discount
to NAV at which the Shares have traded for many years, and the Board is instead
spending its time and energy protecting the status quo.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares is
required for the adoption of the resolution to convert the Trust from a
closed-end investment company to an open-end investment company.
Laxey recommends a vote FOR the proposal to convert the Trust from a
closed-end investment company to an open-end investment company.
PROPOSAL 3
TERMINATION OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT
Laxey believes that the best ways to reduce the discount from NAV are
either to convert the Trust to an open-end investment company or replace the
Adviser with a new investment adviser who will be dedicated to maximizing
Shareholder value for all Shareholders. Laxey believes that the Adviser is an
impediment to Shareholders maximizing the value of their investment in the
Trust. The Adviser has not taken adequate steps or offered any concrete
proposals to reduce the discount to NAV and has appeared willing to allow its
own self-interest to prevail over the interest of the Shareholders. The
Adviser's compensation is based on the NAV of the Trust's assets held in Taiwan
and its compensation is not reduced as a result of the discount to NAV at which
the Shares trade.
PROPOSAL AND SUPPORTING STATEMENT
---------------------------------
As previously provided to the Trust, Laxey intends to present the
following proposal and supporting statement for consideration at the Annual
Meeting:
RESOLVED: The Investment Advisory Contract among the Trust, the Adviser
and the Central Trust of China shall be terminated in accordance with
its terms, effective within 60 days after the 2003 Annual Meeting.
As a significant Shareholder, Laxey has a vested interest in the
Trust's performance and management decisions relating to Shareholder
value. The average discount to NAV over the last five years has been as
follows: 1997 - 17%, 1998 - 18%, 1999 - 14%, 2000 - 19%, 2001 - 14.5%,
and 2002 to date - 15%. Laxey believes that the past efforts of the
investment adviser have been insufficient in narrowing the discount to
NAV. In 1991 the Board authorized a periodic share repurchase program
under Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, pursuant to which purchases of Shares may be made by the Trust
when the Shares trade at a discount to their NAV. However, according to
the Trust's recent public filings, the Board has no plan or intention
of causing the Trust to make any further purchases. Laxey notes that
the Trust's organizational documents provide that, if the Shares trade
on the New York Stock Exchange at an average discount from their NAV of
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more than 10% during any twelve-week period, the Board is required to
submit to the Shareholders at their next annual meeting a binding
resolution to convert the Trust into an open-end investment company.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares is
required for the adoption of such a resolution. Since June 1, 1992 the
Shareholders have voted on such a resolution seven times, in 1995 and
each of the years from 1997 through 2002. Each time, the resolution did
not pass because it did not obtain sufficient Shareholder votes. In
addition, the Board may decide at any time to present to the
Shareholders the question of whether the Trust should be converted to
an open-end investment company; however, such a voluntary submission
would require the approval of two-thirds of the outstanding Shares for
its adoption. While Laxey agrees that allowing the Shareholders to vote
to open-end the fund in the case of a persistent discount of 10% or
more for a 12-week period could theoretically help in narrowing the
discount to NAV, Laxey does not believe that it has been effective in
doing so since the requisite vote for Shareholder approval is set too
high to be meaningful and historically has not been reached.
The Shareholders need an investment adviser that will act in a manner
which would expediently and effectively allow the Shareholders to
maximize their investment. The persistent discount to NAV suffered by
the Shareholders and ineffective methods of narrowing such discount
provides strong evidence that the Adviser has not acted in such a
manner. Thus, Laxey seeks to terminate the current Investment Advisory
Contract with the Adviser.
BACKGROUND AND RECENT EVENTS
----------------------------
Laxey has been a holder of the Shares since June 2002 and believes it
is currently the second largest beneficial owner of Shares. As of the date of
this proxy statement, Laxey beneficially owns 12.15% of the outstanding Shares.
The Trust's investment performance has been poor, especially compared
to its investment category. According to Morningstar, the Trust's market return
for 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 (through May 30) has been -43.0%, 4.1%, -14.7% and
-4.4%, respectively, which has trailed the market return of their category by
-7.5%, -3.6%, -22.5% and -13.7%, respectively. Laxey also believes that neither
the Board nor the Adviser has proposed any meaningful actions to reduce the
significant discounts to NAV at which the Shares have traded for many years.
According to the Trust's proxy statement, the annual discount to NAV since 1996
is as follows: 1997 - 17%, 1998 - 18%, 1999 - 14%, 2000 - 19%, 2001 - 14.5%,
2002 - 15% and 2003 (through May 16 - 11%). Although the discount has recently
narrowed, this did not occur until Laxey's intention to submit a proposal was
first made public. In the event that Laxey's proposal is not adopted,
Shareholders should be aware that it is possible that the discounts to NAV will
return to their historical double-digit levels shortly after the Annual Meeting.
Laxey believes the Board should have provided the Shareholders the opportunity
to reevaluate the Adviser's disappointing performance by submitting the
Investment Advisory Contract to the Shareholders for their approval. In light of
the Trust's apparent disregard for Shareholders' concerns regarding the
persistent discount to NAV and the Adviser's ineffectiveness at maximizing
Shareholder value, Laxey Partners Limited determined that the Shareholders
should be afforded the opportunity to vote to terminate the Investment Advisory
Contract.
7
On January 2, 2003, Laxey Partners Limited, on behalf of itself and
four of its managed companies, submitted a proposal to the Trust to terminate
the Investment Advisory Contract within 60 days following the date of the Annual
Meeting. Laxey's proposal was submitted in accordance with the deadline set
forth in the Trust's 2002 proxy statement for the submission of proposals for
the Annual Meeting.
The Trust sought to exclude Laxey's proposal, citing procedural grounds
based on the Trust's interpretation of its charter documents, including an
amendment to its bylaws adopted and filed just two weeks before the deadline for
submitting Shareholder proposals. Laxey believes the amendment sought to vest in
the trustees of the Trust the discretion to preclude proposals, including
Laxey's proposal, not made in accordance with Rule 14a-8 from being considered
at the Annual Meeting, contrary to the information contained in the Trust's 2002
proxy statement. Based on a review of by-laws publicly available at the Web site
of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), Laxey
believes that no other closed-end fund tracked by Morningstar with assets
greater than $100 million and investing solely in international equity
securities has such a restrictive limitation of Shareholder proposals as does
the Trust.
From the moment it was first submitted by Laxey, the Trust vigorously
has sought to deny the Shareholders the opportunity to vote on Laxey's proposal.
The Trust announced that Laxey's proposal would not be considered at the Annual
Meeting and then, in a series of letters to the Commission, the Trust sought to
justify its decision to exclude Laxey's proposal. Despite all of its efforts,
the Trust was unable to persuade the Commission to permit the exclusion of
Laxey's proposal. Laxey intends to properly present its proposal at the Annual
Meeting.
Laxey believes that the Shareholders will recognize that the Board has
been attempting to block a legitimate proposal designed to increase Shareholder
value for all holders of the Trust. How long must the Shareholders suffer
discounts to NAV in excess of 10% per year?
EFFECT OF TERMINATION
---------------------
If a majority of the outstanding voting securities vote to terminate
the Investment Advisory Contract, the Investment Advisory Contract provides
that, in such an event, the Advisor will, within three months after the
effective date of the termination, liquidate the assets held in The Taiwan
R.O.C. Fund at reasonable prices, satisfy its liabilities and distribute the
available balance, if any, to the Trust. Under the Investment Advisory Act of
1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), in the event that the Investment Advisory
Contract, which was approved by a majority of the Trust's outstanding voting
securities, is terminated and no successor is immediately selected, the Board
may select an interim investment advisor for a period not to exceed 150 days
following the date on which the Investment Advisory Contract was terminated. A
new investment advisory agreement would require votes of the Board and the
Shareholders of the Trust.
By terminating the Investment Advisory Contract, the Shareholders will
force the Board to hire a new investment advisor who Laxey hopes will be more
committed to reducing the discount to NAV at which the Shares trade and to
providing Shareholders with regular opportunities to obtain liquidity for their
Shares.
8
INFORMATION REGARDING INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT
--------------------------------------------------
Because this proposal relates to the termination of the Investment
Advisory Contract, included in Schedule III to this proxy statement is
information that Shareholders may wish to consider concerning the Investment
Advisory Contract. As Laxey has no independent knowledge regarding this
information, and since the Investment Advisory Contract has not been presented
to the Shareholders for approval since 1996, the presentation of the information
included in Schedule III is based entirely on disclosures contained in the
Trust's public filings.
REQUIRED VOTE
-------------
As provided by the 1940 Act, approval of Laxey's proposal to terminate
the Investment Advisory Contract will require the affirmative vote of a
"majority of the outstanding voting securities" of the Trust, which means the
affirmative vote of the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the Shares entitled to vote
thereon present or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, if the holders of
more than 50% of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote thereon are present or
represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the total outstanding Shares
entitled to vote thereon. For this purpose, abstentions and broker non-votes
will be counted as Shares present at the Annual Meeting for quorum purposes but
not voting and will have the same effect as votes cast against Laxey's proposal.
Laxey recommends that you vote FOR the termination of the Investment
Advisory Contract.
LAXEY'S RECOMMENDATIONS
Laxey is soliciting proxies to vote TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY for the
election of each of the Nominees, FOR the proposal to convert the Trust from a
closed-end investment company to an open-end investment company and FOR Laxey's
proposal to terminate the Investment Advisory Contract, at the Annual Meeting.
Laxey is not aware of any other proposals to be brought before the Annual
Meeting. However, should other proposals be brought before the Annual Meeting of
which Laxey is not made aware within a reasonable time prior to the Annual
Meeting, the persons named as proxies in the enclosed GOLD proxy card will vote
on such matters in their discretion.
YOU ARE URGED TO VOTE TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF
THE TRUST'S NOMINEES, FOR THE PROPOSAL TO CONVERT THE TRUST FROM A CLOSED-END
INVESTMENT COMPANY TO AN OPEN-END INVESTMENT COMPANY AND FOR LAXEY'S PROPOSAL TO
TERMINATE THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT ON THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD.
VOTING AND PROXY PROCEDURES
Only Shareholders of record on the Record Date will be entitled to
notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Based on publicly available
information, Laxey believes that the only outstanding class of securities of the
Trust entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is the Shares. Each Share is
entitled to one vote on each matter as may properly be brought before the Annual
9
Meeting. According to the Trust's proxy statement, there are 32,698,976 Shares
issued and outstanding as of the Record Date.
Shares represented by properly executed GOLD proxy cards will be voted
at the Annual Meeting as marked and, in the absence of specific instructions,
will be voted TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY for the election of each of the Nominees,
FOR the proposal to convert the Trust from a closed-end investment company to an
open-end investment company and FOR Laxey's proposal to terminate the Investment
Advisory Contract and, in the discretion of the persons named as proxies, on all
other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting of which Laxey is
not made aware within a reasonable amount of time prior to the Annual Meeting.
Shareholders may revoke their proxies at any time prior to its exercise
by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person (although attendance at the
Annual Meeting will not in and of itself constitute revocation of a proxy) or by
delivering a written notice of revocation. The delivery of a subsequently dated
proxy that is properly completed will constitute a revocation of any earlier
proxy. The revocation may be delivered either to Laxey, in care of Morrow & Co.,
Inc., at the address set forth on the back cover of this proxy statement or to
the Trust c/o Citigate Financial Intelligence at 62 West 45th Street, 4th Floor,
New York, New York 10036 or any other address provided by the Trust. Although a
revocation is effective if delivered to the Trust, Laxey requests that either
the original or photostatic copies of all revocations be mailed to Laxey, in
care of Morrow & Co., Inc., at the address set forth on the back cover of this
proxy statement so that Laxey will be aware of all revocations and can more
accurately determine if and when proxies have been received from the holders of
record on the Record Date of a majority of the outstanding Shares.
LAXEY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR THE ELECTION
OF EACH OF THE TRUST'S NOMINEES, FOR THE PROPOSAL TO CONVERT THE TRUST FROM A
CLOSED-END INVESTMENT COMPANY TO AN OPEN-END INVESTMENT COMPANY AND FOR LAXEY'S
PROPOSAL TO TERMINATE THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT. IF YOU WISH TO VOTE,
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY THE ENCLOSED GOLD PROXY CARD IN THE
POSTAGE-PAID ENVELOPE PROVIDED. A GOLD PROXY CARD THAT IS RETURNED TO LAXEY WILL
BE VOTED AS THE SHAREHOLDER INDICATES THEREON. IF A GOLD PROXY CARD IS RETURNED
WITHOUT A VOTE INDICATED THEREON, IT WILL BE VOTED TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY FOR THE
ELECTION OF EACH OF THE TRUST'S NOMINEES, FOR THE PROPOSAL TO CONVERT THE TRUST
FROM A CLOSED-END INVESTMENT COMPANY TO AN OPEN-END INVESTMENT COMPANY AND FOR
LAXEY'S PROPOSAL TO TERMINATE THE INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT.
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
Laxey is making the solicitation of proxies pursuant to this proxy
statement. Proxies may be solicited by mail, facsimile, telephone, telegraph, in
person and by advertisements. Certain directors, officers and employees of
Laxey, none of whom will receive additional compensation for such solicitation,
may make solicitations.
10
Laxey has retained Morrow & Co., Inc. for solicitation and advisory
services in connection with this solicitation, for which Morrow & Co., Inc. will
receive a fee not to exceed $45,000, together with reimbursement for its
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, and will be indemnified against certain
liabilities and expenses, including certain liabilities under the federal
securities laws. Morrow & Co., Inc. will solicit proxies from individuals,
brokers, banks, bank nominees and other institutional holders. Laxey has
requested banks, brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries
to forward all solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of the Shares
they hold of record. Laxey will reimburse these record holders for their
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in so doing. It is anticipated that Morrow &
Co., Inc. will employ approximately 50 persons to solicit Shareholders for the
Annual Meeting.
Laxey does not currently intend to seek reimbursement of the costs of
this solicitation from the Trust but may decide to do so in the future. Costs of
this solicitation of proxies are currently estimated to be approximately
$250,000. Laxey estimates that, through the date hereof, its expenses in
connection with this solicitation are approximately $150,000.
OTHER INFORMATION
According to the Trust's proxy statement, if a Shareholder intends to
present a proposal at the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Trust, the
proposal must be received by the Trust at c/o Citigate Financial Intelligence,
62 West 45th Street, 4th Floor, New York, New York 10036 not later than January
24, 2004. Any nomination by a Shareholder of a person to stand for election as a
trustee at the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Trust
at c/o Secretary, The R.O.C. Taiwan Fund, 17th Floor, 167 Fu Hsing North Road,
Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China not later than February 23, 2004.
CERTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRUST
The R.O.C. Taiwan Fund, is a Massachusetts business trust with its
principal executive office located at 167 Fu Hsing North Road, 17th Floor,
Taipei, Taiwan Republic of China. The Trust is subject to the informational
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and in
accordance therewith is required to file reports, proxy statements and other
information with the Commission. Reports, registration statements, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Trust with the Commission can be
inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Room 1024, Washington, DC
20549. Documents filed electronically by the Trust are also available at the
Commission's Web site (http://www.sec.gov).
In addition to the information contained in the Trust's proxy statement
as discussed under the caption "Election of Trustees" and "Conversion of the
Trust From a Closed-End Investment Company to an Open-End Investment Company",
the Trust's proxy statement contains information regarding:
o number of Shares outstanding as of the record date;
o establishment of a quorum;
11
o vote required for approval of proposals;
o treatment of abstentions and "broker non-votes;"
o admission requirements for the Annual Meeting;
o identity of the Trust's investment advisers, managers, distributors and/or
administrators;
o revocability of proxies; and
o requirements regarding the submission of Shareholder proposals to be
considered at the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Laxey assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any
such information.
OTHER MATTERS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Laxey is unaware of any other matters to be considered at the Annual
Meeting. Should other proposals be brought before the Annual Meeting of which
Laxey is not made aware within a reasonable amount of time prior to the Annual
Meeting, the persons named as proxies on the enclosed GOLD proxy card will vote
on such matters in their discretion.
June 6, 2003 LAXEY PARTNERS LIMITED
(on behalf of itself and as attorney-in-fact
for the participants in this solicitation)
By: /s/ Andrew Pegge
---------------------------------------
Andrew Pegge, Director
12
SCHEDULE I
INFORMATION ABOUT PARTICIPANTS
Laxey Partners Limited is soliciting proxies on behalf of itself and
four of its managed companies, Catalyst, LPV, LUV and LILP. By virtue of their
ownership of Laxey Partners Limited, Colin Kingsnorth and Andrew Pegge may be
deemed to be participants in this solicitation.
Catalyst:
---------
Catalyst is a private investment company formed in May 2000 and created
to allow investors to take advantage of investment opportunities in closed-end
funds and similar investment entities. The address of Catalyst's principal
business and principal office is P.O. Box 309, Ugland House, South Church
Street, George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, British West Indies. As of
the date mailing of this proxy statement, Catalyst is the beneficial owner of
974,840 Shares.
LPV:
----
LPV is an investment international business company formed in October
2001 in the British Virgin Islands for institutional investors. LPV is managed
by Laxey Partners Limited. The address of LPV's principal business and principal
office is First Floor, Samuel Harris House, 5-11 St. George's St., Douglas, Isle
of Man. As of the date of mailing of this proxy statement, LPV is the beneficial
owner of 934,600 Shares.
LUV:
----
LUV is a Delaware limited partnership organized on February 28, 2002 to
provide the partners with an absolute return through capital appreciation with
an emphasis on structural arbitrage. The general partner of LUV is Laxey
Partners GP(2) Limited, a company established in the British Virgin Islands in
February 2002 and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laxey Partners Limited, the
investment manager of LUV. The address of LUV's principal business and principal
office is c/o BoE International Fund Services Limited, Samuel Harris House, St.
George's Street, Douglas, Isle of Man IM99 1EZ, British Isles. As of the date of
mailing of this proxy statement, LUV is the beneficial owner of 700,000 Shares.
LILP:
-----
LILP is a Delaware limited partnership organized on November 15, 2001
to allow investors to take advantage of investment opportunities in closed-end
funds and similar investment entities. The general partner of LILP is Laxey
Partners (GP) Limited, a company established in the British Virgin Islands in
February 2002 and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laxey, the investment manager of
LILP. The address of LILP's principal business and principal office is c/o BoE
International Fund Services Limited, Samuel Harris House, St. George's Street,
Douglas, Isle of Man IM99 1EZ, British Isles. As of the date of mailing of this
proxy statement, LILP is the beneficial owner of 376,160 Shares.
Laxey Partners Limited:
----------------------
Laxey Partners Limited is a global active value fund manager formed in
November 1998 and specializing in arbitrage-led investment. Laxey Partners
Limited is the investment manager for Catalyst, LPV, LUV and LILP, subject to
the overall control of the directors of such entities. The address of Laxey
Partners Limited's principal business and principal office is Stanley House, 7-9
Market Hill, Douglas, Isle of Man IM1 2BF. Their telephone number is
01624-690-900. As of the date of mailing of this proxy statement, Laxey Partners
Limited, through its management of Catalyst, LPV, LUV and LILP and through such
unaffiliated third party discretionary accounts, is the beneficial owner of
3,973,600 Shares (representing Catalyst's 974,840 Shares, LPV's 934,600 Shares,
LUV's 700,000 Shares, LILP's 376,160 Shares, 953,000 Shares held in an
unaffiliated third party discretionary account managed by Laxey Partners Limited
and 1,000 Shares held directly by Laxey Partners Limited).
Colin Kingsnorth, a British citizen ("Kingsnorth"); and Andrew Pegge, a British
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
citizen ("Pegge"):
------------------
Each of Messrs. Kingsnorth and Pegge own one half of the outstanding
equity of Laxey Partners Limited. Kingsnorth's principal occupation is that of
portfolio manager and director of Laxey Partners Limited. His business address
is 28 Chelsea Wharf, Lots Road, London, SW10 0QJ, United Kingdom. Pegge's
principal occupation is also that of portfolio manager and director of Laxey
Partners Limited and his business address is Stanley House, 7-9 Market Hill,
Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2BF, United Kingdom. Their telephone numbers are
+44-0207-349-5566 and +44-0162-469-0900, respectively. As of the date of mailing
of this proxy statement, each of Messrs. Kingsnorth and Pegge is the beneficial
owner of 3,973,600 Shares.
Attached hereto is Schedule II which sets forth information concerning
purchases and sales of Shares by the participants in this solicitation during
the last two years.
Neither the soliciting participants nor any associate of the soliciting
participants have any arrangement or understanding with any person with respect
to any future employment by the Trust or its affiliates or with respect to any
future transactions to which the Trust or any of its affiliates will or may be a
party.
None of the participants in this solicitation is, or was within the
past year, a party to any contract, arrangement or understanding with any person
with respect to any securities of the Trust, including, but not limited to,
joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees against
loss or guarantees of profit, division of losses or profits, or the giving or
withholding of proxies.
SCHEDULE II
TRANSACTIONS IN THE SECURITIES OF THE TRUST
Except as disclosed in this proxy statement, none of the participants
in this solicitation has, or had, any interest, direct or indirect, by security
holdings or otherwise, in the Trust. The following table sets forth certain
information with respect to purchases and sales of Shares by the participants in
this solicitation within the past two years. Shares beneficially owned by Laxey
Partners Limited include Shares purchased through an unaffiliated third party
discretionary account managed by Laxey Partners Limited (the "Laxey Account").
The following open market purchases and sales of Shares have been made
by Catalyst*:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATE OF PURCHASE NUMBER OF SHARES PURCHASED PRICE PAID/SHARE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
08/30/02 4,000,000 $3.78
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date of Sale Number of Shares Sold Price Per Share
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
09/10/02 (3,024,160) $3.68
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/16/02 (1,000) $3.46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*In September 2002, 3,024,160 Shares held by Catalyst were sold to various Laxey
entities. In October 2002, 1,000 Shares held by Catalyst were sold to Laxey
Partner Limited and registered in the record name of Laxey Partners Limited.
The following open market purchases and sales of Shares have been made
by Laxey Investors Limited, a British Virgin Islands company and a
company managed by Laxey Partners Limited:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATE OF PURCHASE NUMBER OF SHARES PURCHASED PRICE PAID/SHARE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
06/18/02 10,000 $4.40
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATE OF SALE NUMBER OF SHARES SOLD PRICE PER SHARE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
03/14/03 (1,000) $3.75
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
03/17/03 (9,000) $3.67
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following open market purchases and sales of Shares have been made
by LPV:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATE OF PURCHASE NUMBER OF SHARES PURCHASED PRICE PAID/SHARE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
09/10/02 974,000 $3.68
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATE OF SALE NUMBER OF SHARES SOLD PRICE PER SHARE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
05/01/03 (5,400) $3.46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following open market purchases of Shares have been made by LUV:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATE OF PURCHASE NUMBER OF SHARES PURCHASED PRICE PAID/SHARE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
09/10/02 700,000 $3.68
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following open market purchase of Shares has been made by LILP:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATE OF PURCHASE NUMBER OF SHARES PURCHASED PRICE PAID/SHARE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
09/10/02 376,160 $3.68
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following purchases of Shares have been made on behalf of the Laxey
Partners Limited:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATE OF PURCHASE NUMBER OF SHARES PURCHASED PRICE PAID/SHARE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/16/02 1,000 $3.46
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following open market purchases and sales of Shares have been made
on behalf of the Accounts:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATE OF PURCHASE NUMBER OF SHARES PURCHASED PRICE PAID/SHARE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
09/10/02 974,000 $3.68
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATE OF SALE NUMBER OF SHARES SOLD PRICE PER SHARE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
03/26/03 (11,000) $3.84
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
03/27/03 (10,000) $3.81
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No separate transactions were undertaken by Kingsnorth or Pegge during
the above time period.
As of the date of mailing of this proxy statement, the beneficial
ownership, direct and indirect, of the participants in this solicitation are as
follows: Catalyst, together with Laxey, Kingsnorth and Pegge, are the beneficial
owners of 974,840 Shares, which represent approximately 2.98% of the issued and
outstanding Shares. LPV, together with Laxey, Kingsnorth and Pegge, are the
beneficial owners of 934,600 Shares, which represents approximately 2.85% of the
issued and outstanding Shares. LUV, together with Laxey,
Kingsnorth and Pegge are the beneficial owners of 700,000 Shares which
represents approximately 2.14% of the issued and outstanding Shares. LILP,
together with Laxey, Kingsnorth and Pegge are the beneficial owners of 376,160
Shares, which represents approximately 1.15% of the issued and outstanding
shares. Laxey, Kingsnorth and Pegge are the beneficial owners, through Laxey's
discretionary authority over the Accounts, of the 953,000 Shares held in the
Accounts, which represents approximately 2.91% of the issued and outstanding
Shares. The Accounts are terminable at any time by the respective third parties,
for which the Accounts are held, upon providing written notice to Laxey. As of
the date hereof, Laxey together with Kingsnorth and Pegge are the beneficial
owners of 1,000 Shares, which represents less than 1% of the issued and
outstanding Shares. Accordingly, Laxey, Kingsnorth and Pegge are, as of the date
hereof, beneficial owners of an aggregate of 3,973,600 Shares, constituting
approximately 12.15% of the Shares outstanding.
SCHEDULE III
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUST'S INVESTMENT ADVISER, THE
INVESTMENT ADVISORY CONTRACT AND CERTAIN OTHER MATTERS
The following information relating to the Adviser, Central Trust of
China ("CTC"), the Investment Advisory Contract and certain other matters is
included here because it may be required by the rules of the Commission in a
proxy statement that contains proposals relating to the continuation or
termination of the Investment Advisory Contract. This information is based
entirely upon the disclosure in the Reports, registration statements, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Trust with the Commission and
Laxey has no independent knowledge concerning its accuracy.
The Adviser has its principal office at 17th Floor, 167 Fu Hsing North
Road, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory
Contract, the Adviser is responsible, among other things, for investing and
managing the assets of the Trust and administering the Trust's affairs. Through
December 31, 2002, the Trust paid the Adviser a fee in New Taiwan Dollars
("NT$"), which is accrued daily and paid monthly in arrears, at the annual rate
of 1.35% of the NAV with respect to Trust assets held in Taiwan under the
Investment Advisory Contract up to NT$6 billion, 1.15% of such NAV in excess of
NT$6 billion up to NT$8 billion, 0.95% of such NAV in excess of NT$8 billion up
to NT$10 billion, and 0.75% of such NAV in excess of NT$10 billion.
CTC has its principal office at 49 Wuchang Street, Sec. 1, Taipei,
Taiwan, Republic of China. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Contract, CTC
serves as custodian of the assets of the Trust held in the Republic of China.
CTC owns 7.74% of the outstanding capital stock of the Adviser. Through December
31, 2002, the Trust paid CTC a monthly fee in NT$ at the annual rate of 0.15% of
the NAV with respect to Trust assets held in Taiwan under the Investment
Advisory Contract up to NT$6 billion, 0.13% of such NAV in excess of NT$6
billion up to NT$8 billion, 0.11% of such NAV in excess of NT$8 billion up to
NT$10 billion, and 0.09% of such NAV in excess of NT$10 billion, subject to a
minimum annual fee of NT$2.4 million.
The Investment Advisory Contract was last approved by the Shareholders
in 1996.
IMPORTANT!
Your vote is important. No matter how many Shares you own, please give
Laxey your proxy to vote TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY for the election of each of the
Nominees, FOR the proposal to convert the Trust from a closed-end investment
company to an open-end investment company and FOR Laxey's proposal to terminate
the Investment Advisory Contract, by taking three steps:
1. SIGNING the enclosed GOLD proxy card,
2. DATING the enclosed GOLD proxy card, and
3. MAILING the enclosed GOLD proxy card TODAY in the envelope
provided (no postage is required if mailed in the United
States).
If any of your Shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank
nominee or other institution, only it can vote such Shares and only upon receipt
of your specific instructions. Accordingly, please sign, date and return your
GOLD proxy in the envelope and contact the person responsible for your account
and instruct that person to execute the GOLD proxy card representing your
Shares. Laxey urges you to confirm in writing your instructions to Laxey at the
address provided below so that Laxey will be aware of all instructions given and
can attempt to ensure that such instructions are followed.
PLEASE DO NOT RETURN ANY PROXY CARD SUPPLIED TO YOU BY THE TRUST, AS IT
MAY REVOKE YOUR PREVIOUS PROXY. REMEMBER, ONLY YOUR LATEST-DATED PROXY COUNTS.
If you have any questions or require any additional information
concerning this proxy statement, please contact Laxey's proxy solicitor, Morrow
& Co., Inc., at the address set forth below.
Morrow & Co., Inc.
445 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Call toll free: 800-607-0088
Bankers and Brokers Call Collect: 212-754-8000
THE R.O.C. TAIWAN FUND
2003 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF LAXEY PARTNERS LIMITED
AND NOT ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
OR MANAGEMENT OF THE R.O.C. TAIWAN FUND
The undersigned appoints Jeffry S. Hoffman and Adam M. Fox, and each of
them, attorneys and agents with full power of substitution to vote, as
designated below, all shares of beneficial interest of The R.O.C. Taiwan Fund
(the "Trust") which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally
present at the 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Trust, and including
at any adjournments or postponements thereof and at any special meeting called
in lieu thereof.
The undersigned hereby revokes any other proxy or proxies heretofore
given to vote or act with respect to the shares of beneficial interest of the
Trust held by the undersigned, and hereby ratifies and confirms all action the
herein named attorneys and proxies, their substitutes, or any of them may
lawfully take by virtue hereof.
LAXEY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY IN RESPECT
OF PROPOSAL 1 AND FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3.
1. To elect trustees:
(01) Alex Hammond-Chambers
FOR [_____] TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY [_____]
(02) Edward B. Collins
FOR [_____] TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY [_____]
(03) Cheng-Cheng Tung
FOR [_____] TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY [_____]
2. To convert the Trust from a closed-end investment company to an
open-end investment company and certain related matters.
FOR [_____] AGAINST [_____] ABSTAIN [_____]
(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)
3. To terminate the Investment Advisory Contract among the Trust,
International Investment Trust Company Limited and the Central Trust
of China, effective within 60 days after the 2003 Annual Meeting.
FOR [_____] AGAINST [_____] ABSTAIN [_____]
4. In their discretion, the herein named attorneys and proxies are
authorized to vote upon such other matters as may properly come
before the Annual Meeting, of which such persons are not made aware
within a reasonable period of time prior to the Annual Meeting.
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. IF YOU SIGN AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD, AND DO
NOT DIRECT HOW THE PROXY IS TO BE VOTED, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED TO
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY IN RESPECT OF PROPOSAL 1 AND FOR PROPOSALS 2 AND 3.
DATED: _________________________________
Please Sign Exactly As Name Appears On This Proxy.
---------------------------------------------------------
(signature)
---------------------------------------------------------
(signature, if held jointly)
---------------------------------------------------------
(title)
WHEN SHARES ARE HELD JOINTLY, JOINT OWNERS SHOULD EACH SIGN. EXECUTORS,
ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, ETC., SHOULD INDICATE THE CAPACITY IN WHICH
SIGNING.
IMPORTANT:
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE!
IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE WITH THIS PROXY CARD, PLEASE CALL MORROW & CO., INC. TOLL
FREE AT 800-607-0088.