(Nov 2): Taiwan criticised China for breaching protocol in its invitation to an upcoming Apec meeting, with Beijing seen as having slighted both President Lai Ching-te and the island’s international standing.

China, hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting (Apec) in Shenzhen on Nov 18–19, contacted Taiwan only by email rather than personally delivering an invitation as is normal practice, Taiwan Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung told reporters on Monday.

“Whenever they breach the established rules or diplomatic conventions, we will certainly lodge a protest at the earliest opportunity,” Lin said, adding that the issue would not deter Taiwan from participating in the summit.

Apec is one of the few major international organisations in which both Taiwan and China participate, with Taiwan taking part under the name “Chinese Taipei”. 

The manner of the invitation has raised concerns in Taipei, according to an official familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified speaking about sensitive issues.

When Beijing last hosted Apec meetings in 2014, the invitation for Taiwan to send a representative was signed by Chinese President Xi Jinping himself and addressed to Taiwan’s then-president Ma Ying-jeou, whose Kuomintang party favours closer ties to China. 

This time, however, the invitation was sent via email, addressed only to “the representative of Chinese Taipei’s economic leader,” and did not carry Xi’s signature, the official said.

Chinese officials were not immediately available to comment on the apparent slight, which underscores Beijing’s continued hostility towards Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party, which has ruled the island for a decade. Earlier this year, Xi hosted the Kuomintang’s current leader for friendly talks in Beijing.

China considers Taiwan part of its territory and opposes moves that it views as treating the island as a sovereign state. It has refused to engage with Lai’s government and increased diplomatic and military pressure on his administration. 

Lai, elected president in 2024, says the self-governing democracy should be treated as an equal on the world stage, accusing China of seeking to restrict its access to international events and groups.

Taiwan’s participation in Apec has long been handled under arrangements reflecting the political sensitivities surrounding its status. Its president does not attend the annual leaders’ meeting, with Taipei instead sending a representative, while Taiwanese ministers and officials routinely participate in other Apec meetings.

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