Premier Mao Chi-kuo says Taiwan has the right to choose whether to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
The AIIB is a China-led development fund that has attracted more than 40 countries to apply to become a founding member. But on Monday, China confirmed that Taiwan will not be a founding member after it applied to do so.
At the legislature on Tuesday, Premier Mao said although Taiwan will not join the AIIB as a founding member, it can participate as a regular member. He also said Taiwan wants fair and dignified treatment at the AIIB, and that the designation “Chinese Taipei” is the bottom line. Mao said the right to choose whether to join the AIIB is still in Taiwan’s hands.
China sees Taiwan as part of its territory, even though the two sides have been ruled separately for more than 60 years. Beijing is opposed to Taiwan’s participation as a sovereign nation in international organizations. In many international bodies, Taiwan uses the designation “Chinese Taipei” because of China’s objection to the use of “Taiwan”.