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China’s Foreign Ministry has dismissed Taiwan’s concerns regarding the safety of participants in the upcoming 2026 APEC summit, set to be held in Shenzhen, southern China. The ministry emphasized that Taiwan’s participation depends on adherence to the “one China” principle and existing APEC protocols, rather than any security issues.
APEC, one of the few international organizations that includes Taiwan, lists the island as “Chinese Taipei” to avoid political conflicts. While Taiwan’s presidents are traditionally barred from attending, the island continues to take part through appointed representatives. The 2026 summit comes amid heightened tensions across the Taiwan Strait, as Beijing intensifies military activities near the island and refuses to engage with Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, whom it labels a “separatist.”
Taiwan Foreign Ministry official Jonathan Sun stated that China had previously provided written assurances guaranteeing safety for all APEC participants. Responding to Reuters, China reiterated its commitment to fulfilling host responsibilities according to APEC customs and rules, assuring that “all parties will participate smoothly.”
Beijing’s remarks follow controversy over Taiwan’s APEC representative, former economy minister Lin Hsin-i, meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during this year’s summit in South Korea—an act that drew criticism from China. Despite lacking formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, Japan maintains economic cooperation within APEC.
After returning to Taipei, Sun reaffirmed Taiwan’s demand for “equal treatment” and expressed that several like-minded economies shared similar safety concerns. He urged China to honor its commitments and ensure fair participation for all economies.
The last time China hosted APEC, in 2014, cross-strait relations were far more stable under then-President Ma Ying-jeou. However, tensions remain strained, echoing the 2001 APEC summit dispute when Taiwan boycotted the event over delegation disagreements.
