Taiwan’s finance minister, Chuang Tsui-yun, is expected to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers’ Meeting scheduled for October 20-21 in Hong Kong, according to officials from Taiwan’s Ministry of Finance. The meeting is part of this year’s APEC forum, which China is hosting with related events taking place in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

Hong Kong is serving as the venue for the Finance Ministers’ Meeting, while the Economic Leaders’ Summit will be held next month in Shenzhen. The Hong Kong Financial and Treasury Services Bureau, responsible for organizing the event, stated that China’s Ministry of Finance is managing the registration and accreditation process for all delegations. The bureau did not explicitly confirm Chuang’s attendance but affirmed that it is cooperating closely with Beijing’s ministry to facilitate the participation of representatives from all APEC economies.

Under APEC guidelines, the host authorities are responsible for providing necessary arrangements and support relating to accommodation, transportation, reception, and hospitality for all official delegations. A representative of the Hong Kong bureau emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring a smooth and high-quality experience for all participants.

Taiwan participates in APEC under the name “Chinese Taipei,” and the forum remains one of the few international venues that includes the self-governed island despite disputes over its political status. Chuang Tsui-yun, who has held the finance minister post since 2023, would be the second senior official from Taiwan’s administration under President William Lai Ching-te to take part in APEC events this year. In September, Taiwan’s labor minister, Hung Sun-han, attended the APEC ministerial meeting in Nanjing, focusing on issues such as employment, vocational training, social security, and the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs. Hung reported that his delegation received equal treatment without any “downgrading” compared to other members.

Relations between Beijing and Taipei remain tense. China has repeatedly criticized Lai’s government for what it describes as a “separatist mindset” and has dismissed Taipei’s efforts to open dialogue. Beijing maintains its stance that Taiwan is an integral part of China, advocating for eventual reunification, including by force if deemed necessary. Meanwhile, most countries, including the United States, do not officially recognize Taiwan as an independent country. However, the United States maintains opposition to any forcible attempts to alter the island’s status and supports Taiwan by supplying defensive weapons.