Former ROC Vice President Lien Chan has been named for the fourth consecutive year as President Ma Ying-jeou’s special envoy to the upcoming leaders’ summit of the 2011 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Hawaii, the Presidential Office announced Oct. 3.
According to a press release, Lien, honorary chairman of the ruling Kuomintang, is an ideal choice to attend this year’s APEC summit on Ma’s behalf considering his rich political experience and outstanding performance in engaging with global leaders over the past three years.
“Lien, who has served in top-level positions as foreign minister, provincial governor, premier and vice president, is a highly seasoned veteran of domestic politics with a comprehensive understanding of world affairs,” Ma was quoted as saying.
Lien’s spokesman Ting Yuan-chao said the former vice president had accepted Ma’s request to be his stand-in at APEC and would spare no effort in fulfilling the task.
Past practice dictates that the ROC president designate a representative to attend on his behalf, due to opposition to his direct participation from mainland China.
The 2011 APEC leaders’ meeting is slated for Nov. 12 to 13 in Honolulu, Hawaii, with the U.S. serving as host and chair of this year’s APEC events.
Lien is expected to engage with heads of state from APEC’s 21 economies, including U.S. President Barack Obama and mainland Chinese leader Hu Jintao.
Meanwhile, Kurt Tong, a senior U.S. official responsible for APEC matters, paid a brief visit to Taiwan Oct. 3 to discuss APEC and issues related to U.S.-Taiwan economic relations with high-ranking Taiwan officials, according to a press release from the American Institute in Taiwan.
Tong reviewed a variety of subjects relating to APEC, including the conclusions of recent meetings in San Francisco on energy and transportation issues and on women and the economy, AIT said. (THN)
Write to Rachel Chan at rachelchan@mail.gio.gov.tw