President Ma Ying-jeou says the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is the best occasion for him and Chinese President Xi Jinping to meet.
Both Taiwan and China are full members of the APEC. But Taiwan’s president is barred from attending the leaders’ summit due to opposition from Beijing. President Ma has repeatedly expressed his wish to meet with his Chinese counterpart in the APEC summit in Beijing later this year. But so far the Chinese side has not been very enthusiastic.
China sees Taiwan as part of its territory, even though the two sides have been ruled separately for more than 60 years. Beijing is also wary of any moves that can be interpreted as its recognition of Taiwan as a sovereign state.
In a press conference in El Salvador on Thursday, Ma said relations between Taiwan and China have improved significantly in the past six years. He also said given the warming ties, it would not be unusual for leaders of the two sides to meet.
“Will it be possible for [President Xi] to come to Taiwan? We’ve never discussed this possibility," said Ma.
"I said that we can find a best timing and venue to meet in an appropriate capacity. We feel that the APEC is an easy solution, but of course we have to see whether Mainland China will respond.”
Ma said he hopes Taiwan and China will find a way to ensure that the two sides can continue to communicate. He also said peace and prosperity should be the priority for both sides.