Similar considerations are believed to have helped pave the way for visits by President Lee Teng-hui to Southeast Asia and West Asia in 1994 and 1995.

CNN: The Plot Thickens

The bonus pay cuts were largely driven by political considerations but won't affect earnings in any significant way, said Dirk Becker, an analyst with brokerage Kepler Capital Markets.

WSJ: Commerzbank CEO to Forgo Bonus