Taiwanese media cited officials stating that the APEC summit is set to take place in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, from November 18 to 19, and that the mainland has not issued a formal invitation letter to Taiwan as per convention. Instead, it has adopted a differentiated approach in correspondence arrangements, using a diminished designation for Taiwan and employing what is described as discriminatory wording in its communications. In response, Taiwan’s foreign affairs authorities stated they would promptly protest any actions by the mainland perceived as downgrading Taiwan’s status.
The DPP authorities, once again, are displaying hypersensitivity. Shortly before, when Taiwan’s labor department head attended an APEC side event in Nanjing, the island immediately raised alarms over alleged security risks and “downgrading” concerns. Now, with the Shenzhen APEC summit approaching, they have resorted to anonymous sources alleging disparities in invitation protocols and accusations of discrimination.
At bottom, this is a case of self-induced drama. Taiwan’s participation in APEC has always been conducted under the one-China principle and relevant memoranda of understanding, under the designation “Chinese Taipei” as a regional economy—there has never been any so-called suppression. The DPP leadership, dissatisfied internally, manufactures grievances and amplifies complaints. Their intent is clear: domestically, they stoke division and reinforce the narrative among supporters that the mainland consistently undermines Taiwan; internationally, they seek sympathy from external actors through persistent appeals. Yet no amount of emotional posturing can alter established norms.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880649513515136/
Disclaimer: This article reflects the personal views of the author