Does Hung Sun-han Have to Follow the ‘One China Principle’ in China? Taiwan Affairs Council Says APEC Membership Must Not Be Diminished

China says Taiwan must accept the “One China principle” when Labor Minister Hung Sun-han attends an APEC meeting in Nanjing this month. Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council rejects that condition and says its status as an APEC member cannot be diminished.

The APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting will take place in Nanjing from Sept. 22 to 24. Hung has received a formal invitation and plans to attend in person, making him the first minister-level official from President Lai Ching-te’s administration to visit China.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhang Han said Taiwan’s participation would be handled according to the “One China principle,” the relevant APEC memorandum of understanding and established practices. Asked whether China could guarantee Hung’s personal safety, Zhang repeated that position without offering a separate assurance.

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As the host of this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation activities, we handle the participation of the Taiwan region according to the One China principle, the relevant APEC memorandum of understanding, and established practices.

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council said Taiwan has full membership rights in APEC and has consistently participated in its activities under the organization’s rules and practices. It said there is no prerequisite based on the “One China principle” and argued that China, as this year’s host economy, has a responsibility to protect every member’s right to participate equally.

Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said more than 300 people had traveled to China for APEC meetings under arrangements negotiated with Beijing between December 2025 and Aug. 31, with no incidents reported.

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Taiwan is a full member of APEC, with complete membership rights. There is no such prerequisite as the One China principle.