Taiwan Appoints Acer Founder Stan Shih as APEC Envoy
Taiwan appointed Acer founder Stan Shih as its envoy to the APEC summit in Shenzhen amid demands for written participation guarantees from China.
Taiwan has appointed Stan Shih, the founder of Acer Inc., as its envoy to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit scheduled for next week in Shenzhen, China. Shih will represent President William Lai, returning to a role he previously held during the 2007 summit in Australia. The selection of a business executive follows a long-standing Taiwanese tradition intended to minimize political friction during high-level diplomatic events.
The appointment has triggered a diplomatic dispute over participation terms. The Presidential Office of Taiwan requested a written guarantee from China to ensure the Taiwanese delegation can participate with dignity, security, and on an equal footing with other members. Taiwan continues to participate in the forum under the name Chinese Taipei.
China's Taiwan Affairs Office responded by stating that participation is permitted only if the delegation adheres to the one China principle and APEC memorandum of understanding practices. This exchange highlights ongoing tensions as China prepares to host the summit, with Taiwan insisting that equal participation is standard APEC practice regardless of political principles.
