Full Breakdown
Taiwan Labour Minister Returns from Rare APEC Visit to China, Says He Was Not Belittled
By Drooid · · How we work
The Visit and Its Immediate Outcome
On September 22 2026, Taiwan’s Labour Minister Hung Sun-han landed at Taoyuan International Airport after a three-day trip to mainland China. He attended an APEC ministerial meeting on human resources in Nanjing, marking the first senior-level visit by a member of President Lai Ching-te’s administration since the Democratic Progressive Party took power. Hung told reporters that China fulfilled its duties as host, granting Taiwan equal treatment and dignity alongside other APEC members.
Background and Geopolitical Context
APEC is one of the few multilateral forums that includes Taiwan, which participates under the name “Chinese Taipei.” Beijing, which claims sovereignty over the island, typically objects to Taiwan’s presence and has barred Taiwanese presidents from attending the annual leaders’ summit. The 2026 summit is scheduled for November in Shenzhen, and Taiwan has not yet announced its delegation.
Official Statements and Responses
“APEC is a very important international, multilateral economic and trade forum for us,” — Taiwan Labour Minister Hung China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Chen Binhua reiterated that Taiwan’s participation would be handled in accordance with the “one-China principle.” “It's really more relaxing to return to Taiwan” — Taiwan Labour Minister Hung
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s really more relaxing to return to Taiwan.” — Hung Sun-han, Taiwan Labour Minister “It's really more relaxing to return to Taiwan” — Taiwan Labour Minister Hung
- “APEC is a very important international, multilateral economic and trade forum for us,” — Hung Sun-han, Taiwan Labour Minister “APEC is a very important international, multilateral economic and trade forum for us,” — Taiwan Labour Minister Hung
What’s Next
The APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting will convene in Shenzhen in November, where world leaders are expected to gather. Taiwan has yet to name its representatives for that summit, and the government continues to navigate Beijing’s objections while seeking to maintain its participation in the forum.
