Taiwan Says China Added New Conditions for APEC 2026 Participation
What happened
On November 5, 2025, Taiwan’s foreign minister Lin Chia-lung said Beijing has imposed “new conditions” for Taiwan’s participation in the APEC 2026 summit in Shenzhen, reversing what Taipei describes as a prior written assurance of equal participation
and safety guarantees made during the 2024 APEC meetings in Peru. Taipei says the new hurdle centers on adherence to the one China
principle—an assertion Taiwan rejects. Source
Beijing counters that participation will be handled according to APEC rules and customary practice
, insisting Taiwan’s involvement follow established protocols tied to the one China
framework. Source
Key takeaways
- Shifted goalposts: Taipei alleges Beijing moved away from a prior pledge of equal participation and added political preconditions.
- Protocol vs. politics: China frames the issue as compliance with APEC norms; Taiwan sees a political constraint on its international space.
- Rising friction: The dispute lands amid broader tensions, including military pressure and suspended high-level contacts.
Why it matters
APEC is a rare multilateral venue where Taiwan participates as Chinese Taipei. The scope of its involvement—leaders’ meetings, sideline bilaterals, visibility—shapes Taipei’s regional voice. Conditioning that role risks setting a precedent where host countries can leverage protocol to narrow an economy’s participation. More
The wrangle also tests whether economic forums can stay insulated from sovereignty disputes—or whether geopolitics will continue to reshape multilateral rules. More
Key timeline
- Nov 2024 – Peru APEC: China seeks/announces 2026 hosting; Taipei cites written assurances on equal participation and safety. Context
- Nov 3–4, 2025: China says Taiwan’s participation must align with one China and APEC protocols; dismisses safety concerns. Report
- Nov 5, 2025: Taiwan publicly accuses China of adding conditions and vows to coordinate with like-minded partners. Statement · Details
What each side is saying
Taipei
“China has now imposed numerous conditions on our participation in next year’s APEC summit in Shenzhen, which violates that prior commitment. We will defend our rights and coordinate with like-minded nations to counter these actions.”
Beijing
“As the host of APEC in 2026, China will fulfill its obligations in accordance with APEC rules and customary practice … The key to Chinese Taipei’s participation lies in compliance with the ‘one China’ principle and relevant APEC MOU.”
Scenarios to watch
- Full attendance with constraints: Taiwan participates under tighter protocol—reduced visibility for delegates and limited sideline meetings.
- Negotiated compromise: Back-channel assurances restore elements of the Peru pledge on safety and parity.
- Participation downgrade or boycott: If conditions harden, Taipei could scale back presence, complicating APEC optics and unity.
FAQ
Does Taiwan attend APEC as a country?
Taiwan attends under the name Chinese Taipei due to its unique international status and APEC’s membership rules. Reference
What changed for 2026?
Taipei alleges Beijing added political preconditions tied to the one China
principle, diverging from earlier assurances of equal participation and safety. Reference
Why does this matter for other APEC members?
It tests whether a host can reshape the participation of an economy via protocol, potentially setting a precedent that could affect future hosts and attendees. Reference
Sources
- Reuters: Taiwan says China has added conditions to its attendance at APEC summit
- Reuters: China dismisses Taiwan safety concerns about hosting APEC next year
- Focus Taiwan (CNA): Taiwan to counter China’s ‘extra condition’ to its APEC participation
- The Straits Times: China dismisses Taiwan safety concerns about hosting APEC in 2026
Note: This article synthesizes multiple reputable reports published on Nov 4–5, 2025 to provide added context, timelines, and scenario analysis.