President Chen Shui-bian (
"Although it is not satisfactory [to attend as `Chinese Taipei'], we will respect it, since it was the tacit understanding that was originally established," Chen said.
In October 1991, both China and Taiwan signed memorandums of understanding with South Korea, and Taiwan agreed to enter APEC under the name of "Chinese Taipei." Taiwan entered APEC in Seoul in 1991 along with China and Hong Kong.
But Beijing has repeatedly blocked Taiwan's presidents and foreign ministers from attending the annual forums. As a result, the president must always appoint an envoy to go on his behalf.
"If I were able to attend this year's summit, I would respect the agreement that was originally established and not challenge the title issue," he said.
He said China should have no reason to object to Taiwan attending the meeting as "Chinese Taipei."
Chen made the remarks as he received Kim Jong-hoon, an envoy sent by South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun to deliver an invitation to Chen to attend the APEC leaders' summit in Pusan.
Some 6,000 leaders and officials from 21 APEC countries are expected to take part in the Nov. 18-19 meeting.
Chen told Kim that the summit should be a venue for talks between Taiwan and China's leaders.
Chinese President Hu Jintao (
Chen said it is the international community's expectation that both sides of the Taiwan Strait engage in dialogue and reconcile.
"The APEC leaders' summit is not a political setting. It is the best platform to discuss regional economic cooperation, and a suitable place to let the leaders of the two sides make contact and hold discussions," Chen said.
Taiwanese leaders should not be excluded from the annual summit, as the country, like all other APEC members, is entitled to enjoy its rights and assume its obligations in the organization, he said.
Noting that South Korea had written history in 1991 with its shuttle diplomacy between Taipei and Beijing to negotiate APEC membership, Chen said he hoped "the APEC leaders' summit to be hosted by South Korea this time could write history again."
"I hope President Roh Moo-hyun can help me attend this year's APEC summit in Pusan," he said.
Meanwhile, officials are hedging their bets on Chen's chances of actually attending the summit.
"Numerous factors will impact whether [Chen's participation] will be realized," said an official who wished to remain anonymous. "We will try our best."
The name "Chinese Taipei" was accepted because it offered ample room for interpretation by both Taipei and Beijing. China calls Taipei "Chung-kuo Taipei" (中國台北) since "Chung-ku" is the Mandarin abbreviation for the People's Republic of China, and this address satisfies Beijing's need to proclaim that Taiwan is a part of China. Taiwan calls itself "Chung-hua Taipei" (中華台北), because "Chung-hua" is the abbreviation for the Republic of China.
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