Taiwanese Minister travels to Hong Kong for APEC meeting

A taiwan's Finance Minister, Chuang Tsui-yun, is attending a meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Hong Kong this week, becoming the second Taiwanese ruler to travel to China for a forum meeting.

The delegation includes the Vice-President of the Taiwan Financial Supervision Commission, Chen Yen-liang, and other sector officials, according to a statement from the Ministry of Finance quoted today by the Taiwanese news agency CNA.

During the meeting, which will take place between Tuesday and Wednesday, Chuang and his entourage will share Taiwan's experience on issues such as promoting economic growth, reducing family burdens and improving tax administration, notably through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

Taiwanese representatives will also discuss Taipei's plans to encourage private investment in digital infrastructure as well as efforts to promote innovation and financial inclusion.

According to the Ministry, Taiwan will continue to participate in regional discussions on financial policy and strengthen cooperation with other APEC economies to promote economic resilience and sustainable growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

The visit takes place one month after Taiwan's Minister of Labor, Hung Sung-han, moved to the Chinese city of Nanjing, in the east of the country, to participate in APEC's eighth Ministerial Human Resources Development Meeting.

Hung's visit was the first visit to China by a Taiwanese minister since the inauguration, in May 2024, of the current President of the island, William Lai, often accused by the Beijing authorities of being an “independent” and “agitator.”.

Taiwan has participated in APEC since 1991 under the name “Chinese Taipei” and does not send its presidents to the summits of forum leaders due to China’s opposition, which in recent years has intensified diplomatic pressure to restrict the island’s international participation.

The Taiwanese Government reported last year that Beijing imposed “additional conditions” on Taiwan’s participation in the APEC summit, scheduled for November this year, in Shenzhen, southern China, and which should also be attended by US President Donald Trump.

So far, it is unknown who will represent Taiwan at this meeting of leaders.

In last year's edition, Taipei was represented by President Lin Hsin-i, while on previous occasions he sent Morris Chang, founder and former president of TSMC, the world's largest manufacturer of advanced semiconductors.