China turns down Chen's request for APEC trip

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- China is shutting the door on a proposal from Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian to attend an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shanghai.

Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said Taiwan had to follow an agreed procedure, which limits Taiwan's APEC representation to a cabinet minister or business leader.

"On the question of how Taiwan participates in APEC, there is already a Memorandum of Understanding," the Reuters News Agency quoted Tang as saying. "It is not a question of anyone can attend," he said.

"For Chen Shui-bian, I think he has to accept the one China principle ... that would be a positive step," Tang said.

Beijing has ignored Chen since he rose to power last year, because of his refusal to acknowledge Beijing's belief that it is the sole, legitimate ruler of all China, including Taiwan.

Coalition government

Chen's woes aren't limited to his relationship with China.

In a televised speech marking his first year in office, Chen has said he has plans to form a coalition government with a group of opposition deputies after year end polls, to form a "stable majority" in the new legislature, Reuters said.

He didn't say who would be in the coalition, but his current cabinet has many faces that have ties to the Nationalist Party, which ruled the island for more than five decades until the party's candidate lost last in year's presidential elections.

Chen is expected to leave Taiwan on Sunday for a trip to Latin America. The tour kicks off on the anniversary of his first year in office, and will take him to El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama, Paraguay and Honduras.

He begins his trip with a two-night stopover in New York, and ends with a one-night stay in Houston, Texas.

Political analysts have predicted that Beijing will be riled by the stopovers, but it is unlikely to take any drastic measures against the island.

Reuters contributed to this report.