APEC stands for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. It is an international economic forum with 21 member countries, all located on the Pacific Rim. The forum was started in 1989 to facilitate discussion and cooperation between member countries on economic issues such as lowering trade restrictions and coordinating investments.
This year's APEC forum, which includes China and the United States, will see leaders from more than 20 countries and territories descend on Manila on November 19th, but as usual, Taiwan’s leader will not be in attendance.
Even though Taiwan has been a member since 1991 under the name “Chinese Taipei,” the nation’s leader is barred from attending the annual leaders’ summit due to political pressure from China. China considers Taiwan a part of its territory and is strongly opposed to Taiwan’s participation in the international community, including in organizations under the UN framework.
President Ma Ying-jeou’s special envoy this year will be former Vice President Vincent Siew. Earlier this week, Presidential Office Spokesman Charles Chen said Siew was appointed because of his familiarity with international business, diplomacy, and multilateral trade talks. Siew has attended the APEC summit six times either in the capacity of economics minister or on behalf of Taiwan’s presidents.
Taiwan is hoping to join the US-led Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). As regional economic integration is high on the agenda during this year’s event, it is expected that Siew will help forge more favorable conditions for Taiwan.
Siew is currently the convener of an alliance for Taiwan’s bid to participate in the two regional trade bodies.