China May Secretly Arrange Taiwan Compatriot Permit for Labor Minister's Nanjing APEC Visit

A Taiwan government source said Beijing might arrange a Taiwan compatriot permit for Minister of Labor Hung Sun-han without his knowledge ahead of his attendance at the APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting in Nanjing beginning September 23, 2026 — a longstanding Chinese practice for Taiwanese officials attending China-hosted APEC events, since Beijing does not recognize Taiwan travel documents. Hung is set to be the first minister in President Lai Ching-te's administration to visit China, entering via an APEC invitation letter through Taiwan's liaison channel rather than applying for a Mainland Travel Permit himself. The source noted more than 200 Taiwanese officials have previously attended APEC meetings in China without incident, but opposition figure Chuang Jui-hsiung said Beijing was 'taking advantage of this year's meeting being held in China.' Labor Minister Hung separately stressed 'reciprocal dignity' as a condition for the visit on September 15.