Taiwan has reappointed former economy minister Lin Hsin-i as its representative to this year’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, the presidential office announced on Wednesday.
It marks the second consecutive year Lin will serve as Taiwan’s envoy to the high-profile international gathering.
Lin, who also chairs the government-backed investment fund Taiwania Capital, previously led Taiwan’s APEC delegation in 2005 when the summit was also hosted in South Korea.
The presidential office said Lin’s experience and diplomatic expertise made him the “most suitable candidate” to represent President Lai Ching-te at the event.
“Mr. Lin has extensive experience in international economic affairs and has demonstrated professionalism in representing Taiwan’s interests,” the office said in a statement.
This year’s summit, expected to draw leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region, could feature a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump, underscoring its geopolitical significance.
At last year’s APEC summit in Peru, Lin briefly greeted Xi with a wave but the two did not speak. He did, however, hold talks with then-U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the event.
Taiwan takes part in APEC under the name “Chinese Taipei,” in line with the forum’s long-standing arrangement designed to balance Beijing’s sensitivities. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes any official representation of the island in international organizations.
The democratically elected government in Taipei, however, firmly rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, maintaining that only Taiwan’s 23 million people can determine their own future.
The APEC summit is one of the few multilateral platforms where both China and Taiwan participate, providing a rare opportunity for indirect diplomatic engagement between the two sides.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
