Equal dignified treatment shaped Taiwan’s participation at the recent APEC meeting in Shenzhen, government officials said during a Taipei briefing. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that China followed established arrangements and allowed Taiwan’s delegation to operate without interference. Officials said the trip demonstrated that Taiwan maintained a secure and respectful presence despite rising political pressure from Beijing.
Department of International Organizations Director-General Jonathan Sun led the delegation to the APEC Informal Senior Officials’ Meeting last month. He told reporters that all Taiwanese representatives traveled safely and completed their agenda without disruption. According to Sun, Chinese authorities handled transportation, security, and protocol under long standing APEC practices. He said the delegation encountered no actions that diminished Taiwan’s standing or dignity.
The visit came after China publicly stated that Taiwan could attend APEC only if it followed the “one China” principle. However, Taiwan’s government rejected that framing and warned Beijing against politicizing economic forums. Sun said discussions between both sides over the past year ensured that Taiwan would receive equal dignified treatment during the Shenzhen meetings.
Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung previously said Taiwan would respond firmly if China attempted to impose political conditions on participation. He said Taipei would coordinate with like-minded partners to resist any effort to downgrade Taiwan’s role. That warning followed Chinese statements ahead of the Shenzhen meeting that raised concern among Taiwanese officials and business groups.
Despite those tensions, Taiwan confirmed its plan to attend the next round of APEC Senior Officials’ Meetings from Feb. 1 to Feb. 10. Sun said the upcoming visit would follow the same framework that governed the January trip. He added that the goal remains full and safe participation in all APEC activities without political pressure.
Officials also addressed questions about travel documents for Taiwanese delegates. Sun said both sides agreed to use a mutually accepted mechanism to facilitate entry. He declined to provide details, although he emphasized that the process respected Taiwan’s dignity and operational independence.
Political analysts said the outcome reflects China’s careful handling of Taiwan within international economic forums. APEC includes 21 economies, and Taiwan participates under the name Chinese Taipei. Experts said Beijing likely wants to avoid disruptions that could attract international scrutiny during a year of sensitive diplomatic engagement.
The government said the Shenzhen experience proved that Taiwan can protect its interests through steady negotiation. Officials said equal dignified treatment must remain the standard for any future participation in global organizations. They also pledged to monitor all upcoming meetings closely.
Looking ahead, Taiwan will continue preparing for future APEC sessions while engaging partners to safeguard its international space. Leaders said economic cooperation should never become a political weapon. The foreign ministry said Taiwan expects equal dignified treatment whenever it joins regional and global forums.
