Taiwan has brushed off China’s protest over a meeting between its representative and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at last weekend’s APEC summit, calling the encounter “very normal.” Beijing lodged a formal complaint with Tokyo after Takaichi met Taiwan’s APEC representative Lin Hsin-i on the sidelines of the summit in South Korea.
Takaichi had posted about the meeting on her X account, describing Lin as a senior adviser to the presidential office a remark that drew Beijing’s ire, as China claims Taiwan as part of its territory. Lin, a former economy minister, told reporters in Taipei that all APEC delegations “participated on an equal footing” and that such meetings were routine.
Why It Matters
The exchange underscores Taiwan’s determination to engage internationally despite China’s diplomatic pressure. APEC is one of the few global platforms where Taiwan participates, though its presidents are barred from attending. The meeting also signals Japan’s willingness to maintain contact with Taiwan amid growing regional tensions.
Taiwan: Reiterates its right to equal participation and rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
China: Continues to oppose any official or symbolic recognition of Taiwan by other governments.
Japan: Balances unofficial ties with Taiwan while seeking stable relations with Beijing.
United States: Watches closely as Tokyo and Taipei deepen cooperation, given its own security interests in the region.
What’s Next
Beijing’s protest is unlikely to derail Japan-Taiwan engagement, but it could add friction to China-Japan ties already strained over regional security. With Prime Minister Takaichi’s past remarks about forming a “quasi-security alliance” with Taiwan, any future interactions between Tokyo and Taipei at multilateral events will be closely monitored by both Beijing and Washington.
With information from Reuters.