TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan announced Thursday (Oct. 16) it is actively trying to arrange a meeting between its APEC representative and U.S. President Donald Trump at the upcoming summit in South Korea. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) revealed the diplomatic initiative during discussions about Taiwan's participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting Oct. 31-Nov. 1.
President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) appointed Lin Hsin-i (林信義), Taiwania Capital's chairman, as Taiwan's APEC representative on Oct. 8. The Legislative Yuan's (立法院), Taiwan's parliament, Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee invited Lin to report on diplomatic efforts Thursday. Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨), Taiwan's ruling party, Legislator Chen Chun-yu (陳俊宇) expressed interest in Lin's potential Trump interactions.
Lin emphasized the summit's importance for maintaining dialogue with South Korea, the U.S., and other nations to secure Taiwan's equal participation in next year's APEC summit in China. Taiwan previously raised concerns about its status when China sought to host the summit. China's representatives assured member economies Taiwan would not be marginalized, with then-National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Hsu Szu-chien (徐斯儉) confirming China's commitment on Nov. 17 last year. ◼
