New Southbound Policy Portal

 

As an official member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, it is natural for Taiwan to engage in exchanges and interactions with other APEC member economies, both multilaterally and bilaterally, during APEC meetings. Taiwan’s APEC Leader’s Representative Lin Hsin-i engaged in exchanges and interactions with more than 10 leaders or representatives of APEC member economies during multilateral and bilateral events throughout the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and at the official dinner hosted by the Republic of Korea, including Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in his capacity as US leader’s representative.

MOFA reiterates that the Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and independent state and that neither the Republic of China (Taiwan) nor the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is subordinate to the other. Furthermore, the PRC has never ruled Taiwan. This is an internationally accepted, objective fact and the status quo. China has no right to comment on or interfere in the sovereign actions of other nations. Its criticism of normal interactions between Taiwan and Japan based on its so-called “one China principle” is a grave violation of the core principle of the equal participation of all APEC member economies.

Taiwan and Japan share such fundamental and universal values as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law and consider one another important partners and dear friends. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with Japan based on their cordial ties so as to jointly safeguard peace, stability, and prosperity throughout the Indo-Pacific.