Labor minister heads to China for APEC meeting

Taipei, Sept. 20 (CNA) Labor Minister Hung Sun-han (洪申翰) flew to Nanjing, China, on Sunday for an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meeting, becoming the first Cabinet official in President Lai Ching-te's (賴清德) administration to visit China.

Hung arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport at around 4 p.m. before boarding a flight to Nanjing, where he is scheduled to attend the APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting on Monday.

Facing reporters waiting at the airport, Hung declined to make any comments, offering only a brief wave and saying, "Thank you for your hard work."

Hung said Tuesday that APEC is an important multilateral economic forum and that Taiwan has long engaged in APEC in a professional manner.

Taiwan's participation in APEC is guided by the principles of equality and reciprocal dignity and that it will continue to take part in accordance with APEC rules without imposing unnecessary restrictions on itself, Hung said.

Meanwhile, Luo Wen‑jia (羅文嘉), secretary‑general of the semi‑official Straits Exchange Foundation, said Friday that Hung's trip was part of Taiwan's long-standing practice of taking part in APEC activities and was undertaken to fulfill official duties.

Taiwan participates in APEC as a full member under the name "Chinese Taipei."

Taiwan's president, however, has not been able to attend the APEC Leaders Summit due to Beijing's objections, and envoys have been sent in the president's place.

There have been concerns about Taiwan's ability to participate in APEC activities this year because they are being held in China, with the Leaders Summit taking place in Shenzhen in November.

Beijing and Taipei have had little official interaction, including visits of Cabinet officials, since the Democratic Progressive Party took power in 2016.