Taiwan’s Labour Minister Hung Sun-han is set to travel to China for an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meeting, marking the first visit to China by a government minister under President William Lai’s administration.
Hung is scheduled to attend the APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting in Nanjing on September 21. He said he received a formal invitation and would participate under APEC’s established rules and practices.
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The planned trip comes amid strained relations between Taipei and Beijing. Taiwan and China have had no formal government-to-government ties since the Chinese Communist Party took control of mainland China in 1949, while Beijing continues to claim Taiwan as part of its territory.
Hung said Taiwan’s participation in APEC provides an opportunity to share its experience and views on employment and workforce policies. He also stressed the importance of equal participation and dignity for Taiwan within the forum.
Taiwan joined APEC in 1991 under the name “Chinese Taipei” and has participated in the organisation’s meetings since then. The forum allows Taiwan to take part in economic and technical cooperation despite the political differences between Taipei and Beijing.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council said it had conducted risk assessments and contingency planning for officials travelling to China for APEC meetings. The council said officials’ previous trips had proceeded smoothly and assessed the risks surrounding the upcoming visit as manageable.
The Chinese side has also indicated that Taiwan’s participation in APEC-related activities is handled according to its interpretation of the “one China” principle and existing APEC arrangements. Reports have also suggested that Beijing could arrange a Taiwan compatriot permit for Hung, although the details of his entry arrangements were not immediately clear.
Hung previously served as a lawmaker before becoming labour minister in November 2024. His visit is therefore being closely watched because of its timing and because it represents the first trip to mainland China by a minister heading a government ministry since Lai took office.
The meeting is expected to focus primarily on human resources and workforce development, rather than formal political negotiations. Taiwan’s participation will take place within APEC’s existing framework, which has allowed both sides to engage in economic and technical discussions despite their wider political differences.