Taiwan hopes to find ‘natural way’ to engage with China’s Xi at APEC

TAIPEI: Taiwan hopes to find a ‘natural way’ to exchange views with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders that starts in Vietnam this week, the self-ruled island’s envoy to the meeting said yesterday.

Relations between Beijing and Taipei have nosedived since President Tsai Ing-wen was elected last year. China believes she wants formal independence for Taiwan, a red line for Beijing.

For her part, Tsai says she wants to maintain peace with China but will defend Taiwan’s democracy and security. China regards Taiwan as its sovereign territory.

China has suspended a regular dialogue mechanism with Taiwan, stepped up military drills around the island and boosted diplomatic pressure by siphoning off its remaining diplomatic allies.

Speaking to reporters before leaving for Vietnam, Taiwan’s APEC envoy James Soong said Tsai had both pointed out to him and said publicly that Taiwan was willing to engage with China.

“Moreover, we also need to say that both sides of the Taiwan Strait should have some constructive dialogue,” Soong said.

“President Tsai has clearly said to us to use a natural way with Xi Jinping at this APEC meeting to have the opportunity to exchange views.”

The China-born Soong heads the China-friendly People First Party, has met Xi twice before and has visited China.