China, which will host the 2001 series of gatherings culminating in an informal summit of APEC's 21 heads of state in late October in Shanghai, said the issue of Taiwan's participation will be dealt with "in accordance with APEC practice."

"According to the information I have, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) is going to send a 36-member strong delegation to participate in the summit," Wu Hailong, the foreign ministry's top official in charge of APEC, said at a briefing in Beijing. "That's perhaps one of the largest Taiwanese delegations ever."

He said that during a preparatory meeting on this year's meetings, Taiwan had sent a delegation of four, including a ranking official.

"Therefore, you can make your own judgment whether we are going to impose any limitations on the participation by Chinese Taipei," said Wu.

China also said on Friday it was still unclear if DPRK would participate in this year's APEC meetings.

"Frankly, I have not yet heard of (any DPRK’s plans to participate)," Wu said.

He reiterated that North Korea will not be able to become a full APEC member at least until 2007, due to a moratorium on new entrants.

"But if DPRK asks to participate in related APEC activities, I believe it will be welcomed by APEC members," Wu said.

In the coming months, China will organize a total of 18 APEC-related meetings, not only in Shanghai, but also in cities such as Beijing, Suzhou and Tianjin.

APEC was set up in 1989 as an informal talking group for a dozen Asia-Pacific economies but has developed into a powerful engine to drive global and regional free trade.

Its members are: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.

(People’s Daily 02/02/2001)