Ministry of Foreign Affairs Demands China Fulfill APEC Host Responsibilities, Ensure Taiwan's Equal Participation

Central News Agency Message

(Central News Agency, Taipei, 13th, Reporter Wu Shu-wei) China is the host of the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and its series of meetings. China's Taiwan Affairs Office stated today that it will handle Taiwan's participation in accordance with the "One China" principle. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) stated that it strongly condemns and refutes the erroneous claims of China's Taiwan Affairs Office, and once again solemnly demands that China fulfill its responsibilities as the host economy and adhere to the core principle of equal participation for all APEC members.

In a press release this afternoon, MOFA pointed out that Taiwan is a full member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and has enjoyed the right to participate with equal dignity as other members since joining in 1991. China, by disregarding APEC regulations and long-established good practices, and by violating the promises it made in 2024 to secure the hosting rights, is maliciously suppressing Taiwan's participation status. This not only undermines the harmony of APEC but also highlights its domineering authoritarian nature. MOFA once again strongly condemns this and expresses its strongest protest and dissatisfaction.

MOFA emphasized that the memorandum of understanding Taiwan signed upon joining in 1991 contains no mention of the "One China principle" and explicitly states that Taiwan participates in all meetings and activities on an equal basis with other APEC members. As for the memorandum of understanding signed by China, APEC only stated that it was "taking note of" China's so-called "One China principle" and its position that sovereign states should be distinguished from regional economies; it did not agree to or accept it.

MOFA explained that, at the joint request of Taiwan and like-minded countries, China provided a clear written guarantee in 2024 that it would ensure the personal safety of all participating personnel from each economy, as well as their smooth entry into and exit from China for meetings. The joint ministerial statements of 2024 and last year, including China, also unanimously supported the inclusion of text stating that "all economies should participate equally in all APEC meetings, including the Leaders' Meeting."

MOFA pointed out that China, as the host economy for 2026, has the responsibility and obligation to fulfill the commitments it has made and to abide by the decisions made by consensus of all members.

MOFA reiterated that after World War II, the legally binding San Francisco Peace Treaty replaced political declarations such as the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation. The San Francisco Peace Treaty did not hand Taiwan over to the People's Republic of China, and the People's Republic of China has never ruled Taiwan. Therefore, Taiwan is absolutely not a part of the People's Republic of China.

MOFA explained that since the mid-1980s, Taiwan has undergone a bottom-up transformation of political liberalization and democratization, completing its first direct presidential election in 1996. Since then, the central executive and legislative representatives of the Republic of China government have been elected by the people of Taiwan. It has thus become the sole legitimate government that effectively governs and represents Taiwan externally, establishing the objective fact that the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People's Republic of China exist as equals and are not subordinate to each other.

MOFA mentioned that Taiwan has experienced three transfers of political power in 2000, 2008, and 2016, continuously consolidating Taiwan's democratic system and sense of sovereignty. This also reflects the firm belief and will of the Taiwanese people in pursuing freedom and democracy. Only the democratically elected government in Taiwan can represent the 23 million people of Taiwan in multilateral forums and mechanisms, including APEC. China has no right to interfere or comment.

MOFA once again solemnly demands that China fulfill its responsibilities as the host economy, adhere to the core principle of equal participation for all APEC members, and take concrete actions in accordance with APEC guidelines, norms, practices, and its commitments to ensure Taiwan's equal participation in all APEC meetings and activities held in China this year. Taiwan will never accept any political manipulation aimed at belittling or excluding its equal and dignified participation, and will resolutely counter it in unity with like-minded partners. (Editor: Zhai Sijia) 1150513