Former vice president Vincent Siew (蕭萬長) yesterday arrived in Bali, Indonesia, to attend the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on behalf of President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九).
He is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) on the sidelines of the annual event. Siew will also join Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in a panel session at the chief executives summit.
The APEC leaders’ week, which opened on Tuesday, includes a ministerial meeting that ended yesterday, a CEO summit running yesterday through tomorrow and an economic leaders’ meeting starting tomorrow, as well as other events.
Photo: CNA
Because of China’s objections, Taiwan’s president has been barred from attending the annual APEC summit in person and has had to appoint a proxy each year.
Siew, who has participated in the APEC forum four times in the past, said he felt honored to be able to attend the meetings on behalf of Ma.
Siew’s trip will be his second time attending the APEC meetings in Indonesia, after his participation in the 1994 APEC forum in Bogor.
Siew said he will send a message to APEC members of Taiwan’s hopes of becoming more involved in the regional economy.
He said he will emphasize Taiwan’s trade pacts Taiwan has signed with China and New Zealand, along with its ongoing talks with the US under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement.
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