Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said his delegation will seek equal participation at next week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, where its access to meetings will face a test.
The leaders’ meeting is scheduled for Nov. 18-19. APEC lists 21 member economies and uses “Chinese Taipei” for Taiwan. The organization says members participate as economic entities because its work centers on economic issues; decisions are reached by consensus, with participants’ views treated with equal respect.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs says a memorandum tied to the island’s 1991 entry into APEC provides for equal participation and contains no reference to a “one China principle.” The ministry also says China gave written assurances in 2024 addressing meeting participants’ safety and their ability to enter and leave China.
Lai named Acer Group founder and Honorary Chairman Stan Shih as his representative on Nov. 11. Shih represented Taiwan at the 2007 APEC leaders’ meeting in Sydney, the Taiwan Presidential Office said. The office cited his experience in international exchanges, contributions to Taiwan’s technology industry and work on brand development when announcing the appointment.
Lai said Shih should highlight Taiwan’s semiconductor supply chains and AI innovation and encourage cooperation with partner economies. Lai also said participation in APEC helps protect Taiwan’s economic interests, according to the Presidential Office.
The Taiwan Presidential Office has urged Beijing to honor its written assurances and ensure the delegation is treated with dignity and safety. The foreign ministry describes the 2024 assurances as covering safety and travel; Lai’s statement separately sets out Taiwan’s principle for participation.
Taiwan did not attend the 2001 APEC leaders’ meeting after then-President Chen Shui-bian said Beijing had not issued an invitation. APEC records show a Chinese Taipei representative at the 2014 leaders’ meeting in China. Delegates’ access to the sessions should become clearer during the Nov. 18-19 summit.
