The Honorable George W. Bush

President

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Washington, DC

Dear Mr. President:

It has come to our attention that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) deliberately prevented Taiwan’s delegation from fully participating in the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Shanghai.  Specifically, the PRC refused to invite Taiwan through its designated representative to participate in the APEC summit meetings.  In addition, the PRC purposely excluded Taiwan’s cabinet minister from attending APEC’s “Anti-Terrorism” session.

            It is clear to us that these actions serve no purpose other than to belittle the status of Taiwan and its duly appointed delegation.  Taiwan is a full member of APEC and has been a constructive participant in every APEC conference for more than a decade.  Taiwan deserves all the courtesy and respect that a host nation extends to each attending member.  We are disappointed in the PRC’s decision to disrupt this important conference for the sake of its own political agenda.

             With respect to the larger agenda, we believe that it is important to note that, as between the PRC and Taiwan, only one government has the benefit of public approval as expressed through democratic elections.

             Mr. President, the actions taken by the PRC will not help reduce tensions between Taiwan and PRC and will certainly not help foster productive bilateral talks across the Taiwan Strait.  The instability this creates does nothing to further U.S. goals of ending terrorism, nor does it promote any improvement in the economic environment of the region.  Now that the Shanghai APEC meeting is over, we urge you to speak up on behalf of Taiwan at all appropriate opportunities in the future, and urge the PRC to allow Taiwan to participate as a full member of APEC, should any APEC meetings ever be held in the PRC again.