Taiwan’s participation in next year’s Apec summit in Shenzhen as a regional economy will depend on its adherence to the one-China principle, Beijing said on Wednesday, amid growing cross-strait tensions.
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Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning was responding at a briefing to a Reuters question about Taipei’s claim that Beijing had imposed “numerous conditions” on its attendance at the 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.
“Participating in Apec as a regional economy under the one-China principle, and adhering to the provisions of the relevant Apec memoranda of understanding and established practices, is the political prerequisite for Chinese Taipei’s involvement,” she said. “On this issue, China’s position is clear and firm.”
Apec is one of the island’s few windows for involvement in high-level multilateral platforms – taking part under the name “Chinese Taipei” – given its exclusion from most United Nations-affiliated organisations.
This designation, agreed upon in a 1992 Apec memorandum of understanding, requires the island to adhere to the one-China principle and send ministerial-level delegates rather than its leader.
Beijing regards Taiwan as an inalienable part of its territory, to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state but oppose any attempt to take the self-governed island by force.
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Speaking to reporters earlier on Wednesday at the Legislative Yuan, Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung accused Beijing of backtracking on a prior commitment to support the island’s “equal” participation in Apec.
“During last year’s Apec meeting in Peru, when China was vying for next year’s hosting rights, it made a written commitment to support Taiwan’s equal participation, particularly regarding the safety of attendees,” Lin said.