Economy

Lin Hsin-i to Represent Taiwan at APEC: Navigating China’s Shadow and Potential Trump-Xi Talks

Lin Hsin-i reappointed as Taiwan’s APEC envoy. The summit is a key platform amid China‘s claims.

October 8, 2025, 7:58 AM

Chairman Lin Hsin-i, an older man in glasses and a dark suit, speaking from a wooden podium with a microphone.

Chairman Lin Hsin-i announces his role as Taiwan's representative for the 2024 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting while speaking from a podium in Taiwan. By jamesonwu1972 / Shutterstock.com

Executive Summary

Taiwan has reappointed Lin Hsin-i as its envoy to the APEC summit for the second consecutive year, underscoring the forum’s importance as a rare international platform for Taiwan’s engagement.

Lin Hsin-i, who also chairs Taiwania Capital, is considered the most suitable candidate to represent President Lai Ching-te, having previously led Taiwan’s APEC delegation in 2005.

The upcoming APEC summit in South Korea offers a potential opportunity for Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump to meet.

The Story So Far

Taiwan’s reappointment of an envoy to the APEC summit is necessitated by its unique and sensitive international status, as Beijing claims sovereignty over the island, compelling Taiwan to participate under the designation “Chinese Taipei” and preventing its president from attending. This makes APEC one of the few crucial international forums where Taiwan can engage diplomatically and its representative can interact with global leaders, despite the ongoing geopolitical tensions with China.

Why This Matters

The reappointment of Lin Hsin-i as Taiwan’s APEC envoy highlights the forum’s critical importance as one of the few international platforms where Taiwan can maintain its presence and engage diplomatically despite China’s sovereignty claims. This strategic move underscores Taiwan’s delicate balancing act in asserting its international standing. Furthermore, the upcoming summit holds broader geopolitical significance due to the potential for a high-level meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump, which could influence future U.S.-China relations and indirectly impact Taiwan’s position.

Who Thinks What?

Taiwan’s presidential office views Lin Hsin-i as the most suitable candidate to represent President Lai Ching-te at the APEC summit and rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, asserting only the people of Taiwan can determine their future.

China considers Taiwan its own territory and objects to Taiwan sending its president to international summits.

Taiwan’s presidential office announced on Wednesday the reappointment of former economy minister Lin Hsin-i as its envoy to the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea. This marks Lin’s second consecutive year representing Taiwan at the forum, which is one of the few international platforms where both Taiwan and China participate.

Lin, who also chairs the government-backed investment fund Taiwania Capital, previously led Taiwan’s APEC delegation in 2005, also held in South Korea. The presidential office stated that Lin is the most suitable candidate to represent President Lai Ching-te at this year’s summit.

The APEC summit offers a potential opportunity for Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump to meet. At last year’s summit in Peru, Lin greeted Xi with a wave but no direct conversation took place. Lin did, however, meet with then-U.S. President Joe Biden in Lima.

Taiwan’s APEC Participation

Taiwan participates in the APEC forum under the designation “Chinese Taipei.” Due to political sensitivities and China’s objections—as Beijing views the island as its own territory—Taiwan does not send its president to the summits.

The democratically elected government in Taipei consistently rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, asserting that only the people of Taiwan can determine their future.

Key Takeaways

Taiwan has reappointed Lin Hsin-i as its APEC envoy, highlighting the forum’s importance as a rare international platform for Taiwan’s engagement despite China’s claims. The upcoming summit could also be a significant diplomatic event, potentially featuring a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump.