Taiwan plans to send Minister without Portfolio John Deng to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) trade ministers' meeting in Thailand. The foreign ministry said on Tuesday that Deng's delegation will go to Bangkok to participate in meetings from May 21 to 22.
APEC is an international forum focused on promoting economic partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region. Taiwan joined in 1991 under the name “Chinese Taipei” and APEC remains the highest-level intergovernmental forum of which Taiwan is a member.
MOFA’s International Organization Department General Sharon Wu says that the representatives will discuss human resource development, telecommunications, and safe transportation. They will also continue to debate the topics from meetings in February, which included a free-trade agreement and promoting eco-friendly initiatives.
Taiwan has already announced its goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Wu says that Taiwan will discuss its plans for how to reach this goal with the other members of APEC.
Wu adds that members will also discuss how to rebuild their economies together as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.