Taiwan Labour Minister Travels to China for APEC Meeting
Taiwan’s labour minister travelled to Nanjing, China, on Sunday to attend a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Human Resources Ministers, in what is being described as the first minister-level visit to China since Lai Ching-te’s government took office.
Taiwan’s labour ministry said Hung Sun-han would attend the meeting, but did not provide further details about the trip’s schedule. Hung also did not answer questions from reporters as he left Taiwan.
The visit comes as tensions between Beijing and Taipei remain high, with China in recent months stepping up its military and political pressure on Taiwan. Beijing calls Lai Ching-te a “separatist”, has rejected his offers of dialogue, and insists on the “one China” principle.
China is hosting APEC this year, and the forum’s leaders’ summit is scheduled to be held in November in Shenzhen. Taiwan participates in the organisation under the name “Chinese Taipei”.
Taiwan has not yet announced who will represent the island at the APEC leaders’ summit. The president of Taiwan usually does not attend the meeting and sends former officials or business figures in his place.
