Taiwan’s APEC envoy, former Vice President Vincent Siew, has arrived in the Philippines to attend this year’s summit.
Siew and the leaders of 20 other economies in the Pacific Rim will attend the APEC – or Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation – summit in Manila on Thursday. This year’s theme is “inclusive growth.”
Siew spoke at the airport before his departure, saying that he will help raise Taiwan’s profile in the global community. He said he would seek support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations like the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
Taiwan’s leaders have been barred from attending the annual summit due to political pressure from China. That’s because China considers Taiwan a part of its territory and is strongly opposed to Taiwan’s participation in international groups, including UN-related organizations.
Siew is set to return to Taiwan on Friday.