Former vice president Li Yuan-zu (
The briefing was a strong sign that government officials want no one else to represent Taiwan at the meeting.
PHOTO: LU CHUN-WEI, TAIPEI TIMES
Beijing has asked Taipei to submit the name of a new candidate to attend the leaders' summit, but Taiwan has so far refused to do so.
"Under the NSC's arrange-ments, the ministries governing foreign affairs, economic affairs, finance and cross-strait relations will, in succession, brief Li on the country's participation in APEC in the coming days," a presidential aide told The Taipei Times yesterday.
The aide said that Li was "a quick learner with a clear mind."
Kuo Yao-chi (
"No replacement has been under consideration and negotiations are still ongoing through diplomatic channels," Kuo said.
The Presidential Office expects that China will extend its goodwill to Taiwan and accept Li at the international meeting, Kuo added.
But she refused to comment on whether President Chen Shui-bian (
Koo Chen-fu (
Analysts speculate that Li may also be designated as a consultant in order to satisfy Beijing.
China has argued that only the attendance of Taiwanese Cabinet ministers in charge of economic affairs will be accepted, saying that would be in line with APEC's established practices.
But some observers remain pessimistic that the deadlock can be broken, as China has insisted that Taiwan should find another suitable candidate.
Former CEPD chairman Chiang Ping-kun (江丙坤) noted that a substitute candidate would have very little time to prepare for the meeting.
In addition, the Taiwan Independence Party also weighed in on the dispute, criticizing China's behavior.
"China has no right to `permit' or `decide' Taiwan's representation at APEC," the party said in a written statement. "China has obviously violated Taiwan's sovereignty."
Party Chairman Boonky Ho (
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