Finance Minister Chang Sheng-ford says it’s impossible for Taiwan to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) through China’s finance ministry. Chang was speaking Tuesday in Taipei.
Earlier, AIIB President Jin Liqun said in Hong Kong that Taiwan must send its membership application through China’s finance ministry.
But Chang ruled out the possibility, saying that Taiwan is a sovereignty.
“Applying for membership through China’s finance ministry is unacceptable to us. In the past, our president and premier have said repeatedly that Taiwan will only join AIIB under the principle of dignity and equality," said Chang.
"Applying for membership through China’s finance ministry means we are not a sovereignty. It’s impossible for us to accept that.”
Chang said Taiwan is still working to join AIIB through diplomatic and bilateral channels though “Chinese Taipei,” the name used for Asian Development Bank (ADB) membership application, is the bottom line.