Taiwanese Labor Minister Visits China for APEC Human Resources Meeting

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Taiwanese Minister of Labor Hong Sen-han arrived in Nanjing, China, on Sunday to attend the APEC Human Resources Ministers Meeting. This visit represents the first ministerial-level delegation from Taiwan to mainland China since President Lai Ching-te assumed office.

The Ministry of Labor in Taiwan confirmed Hong’s participation in the APEC human resources ministers’ session in Nanjing. The ministry provided limited further details about the trip, and Hong did not engage with reporters upon his departure from Taiwan.

This engagement occurs amidst escalating military and political pressures from China against Taiwan. Beijing labels Lai Ching-te a “separatist” and has rejected his proposals for dialogue, consistently emphasizing the “One China” principle.

China is hosting APEC this year, with the organization’s leaders’ summit scheduled to convene in Shenzhen in November. Taiwan participates in APEC under the designation “Chinese Taipei.”

Taiwan has yet to announce its representative for the APEC leaders’ summit. Typically, the President of Taiwan does not attend these summits, opting instead to send former officials or business leaders as their representatives.