Former Vice President Vincent Siew has arrived in Beijing for high-level Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings.
Siew and his delegation arrived in Beijing around noon on Saturday. He was greeted by the deputy head of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, Chen Yuanfeng.
Siew will attend the APEC economic leaders’ summit on behalf of President Ma Ying-jeou for the second time. The APEC economic leaders’ summit will take place on Monday and Tuesday, with the heads of state or the leaders of government of most of the APEC members attending.
Taiwan’s president is barred from attending the APEC summit because of opposition from China. China sees Taiwan as part of its territory, even though the two sides have been ruled separately for more than 60 years.
Siew said during the APEC meetings, he will seek support for Taiwan’s participation in emerging regional free trade blocs, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.