Taiwan Labor Minister Hung Shen-han to attend APEC meeting in Nanjing

Taiwanese Labor Minister Hung Shen-han is scheduled to travel to Nanjing, China, in September to attend an APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial meeting. This trip marks the first time a minister under the current administration will visit mainland China.

The visit has sparked political debate. Taiwan People's Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang questioned whether the minister is being “united by China,” referencing previous comments by Shen Po-yang. Shen Po-yang denied these claims, clarifying that his previous statements meant that cross-strait exchanges carry risks of being used for political unification efforts and that citizens should remain cautious.

Experts have raised concerns regarding potential political arrangements during the meeting, such as the use of specific titles or national anthems, given the current tension in cross-strait relations. There are also questions regarding the consistency of government travel advisories, as officials question why ministers are permitted to travel while the government warns the general public of risks associated with visiting mainland China.