Taiwan said on Wednesday, November 11, that Stan Shih, the founder of computer maker Acer, will attend next week's APEC summit in China as the government's envoy, and it called on Beijing to give a written assurance that Taiwan's delegation can take part on an equal footing, Reuters reported from Taipei.

Source: Reuters

Presidential spokesperson Karen Kuo, announcing Shih's appointment, said Taiwan has continued to participate in all APEC meetings on an equal basis and that APEC economies have repeatedly reached a consensus on equal participation by all members. "Taiwan hopes China will fulfil its responsibilities as host and provide a written guarantee, ensuring that Taiwan's delegation can take part in all meetings under conditions of equality, dignity, and security," Kuo said.

China's foreign ministry responded in a statement that it handles the "Taiwan region's" participation at APEC in accordance with the one-China principle and the rules and customs of the relevant APEC memorandums of understanding. Beijing did not announce any written guarantee.

Why this envoy pick matters

APEC is one of the very few international bodies that include Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory. China is this year's host, with the leaders' summit set for next week in the southern city of Shenzhen. US President Donald Trump is expected to hold his third meeting of the year there with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Relations between Taipei and Beijing are extremely tense. China refuses to talk to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, calling him a "separatist", and its military operates around the island on a daily basis. Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said this month that China did not arrange for an official to personally deliver the APEC summit invitation to Taiwan, and sent an email instead.

Shih is a veteran choice for a delicate job: he was also Taiwan's envoy to the 2007 APEC summit in Australia. Taiwan's democratically elected government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims, saying only the island's people can decide their future.

What happens next turns on Beijing's reply: if China gives the written guarantee Taipei has asked for, Shih's delegation travels to Shenzhen on the equal terms Taiwan says APEC members have agreed; if it does not, the invitation dispute is likely to become the first row of the summit before the leaders even sit down.