Labor minister stresses 'reciprocal dignity' ahead of China APEC meeting

Taipei, Sept. 15 (CNA) Labor Minister Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) said Tuesday that "equal participation and reciprocal dignity" would remain the guiding principles for Taiwan's participation in an upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meeting in China.

Hung is scheduled to travel to Nanjing to attend the APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting on Sept. 21, becoming the first ministry head in the Lai Ching-te (賴清德) administration to visit China amid strained cross-Taiwan Strait relations.

Speaking to reporters before a ceremony in Taipei, Hung said APEC is an important multilateral economic forum in which Taiwan is a formal member -- under the name "Chinese Taipei."

"Equal participation and reciprocal dignity have always been the core principles of our participation in APEC," Hung said.

Hung served as a lawmaker for the ruling, independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party before becoming labor minister in November 2024. During his time in the Legislature, he spoke out on human rights and political issues concerning Hong Kong and Tibet, both sensitive subjects for Beijing.

Asked whether he would accept a "Taiwan compatriot permit" if Chinese authorities presented him with one, Hung did not answer directly.

A Taiwan compatriot permit is a document issued by China to Taiwanese nationals because Beijing does not recognize Taiwan's passport and other identity documents for travel to China.

Hung also did not say whether he was concerned about being unable to return to Taiwan.

He reiterated that he would attend the meeting in accordance with "established APEC practice" and on the basis of "reciprocal dignity."

Mainland Affairs Council deputy head and spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑) said Sept. 3 that the risks associated with Hung's trip were "controllable," citing the smooth participation of Taiwanese officials in APEC meetings in China earlier this year.

Among them was Yang Jen-ni (楊珍妮), then minister without portfolio and Taiwan's trade representative, who led a delegation to the APEC trade ministers' meeting in Suzhou in May without any reported incidents.

Hung also said an upcoming minimum wage review was among the important tasks awaiting him after the APEC meeting, explaining why he would not travel on to Shanghai for the WorldSkills Competition later in the month.

Taiwan is sending 53 competitors to compete in 47 skill categories at the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai from Sept. 22-27.

At Tuesday's ceremony, Lai presented the national and delegation flags to Taiwan's WorldSkills team and described the biennial competition as the "Olympics of skills."

He urged the competitors to believe in themselves, enjoy the opportunity to compete with the world's best, and "bring Taiwan's spirit of craftsmanship to the world."

Lai did not address Hung's upcoming trip to China or related cross-Strait issues in his remarks.

The WorldSkills Competition brings together top young skilled workers from around the world to compete in fields including aircraft maintenance, refrigeration and air conditioning, and baking and hairdressing.

Taiwan, competing under the name "Chinese Taipei," placed fourth overall at the 2024 edition in Lyon, France, winning two gold, three silver and 10 bronze medals, as well as 28 Medallions for Excellence.