Beijing rejects Taiwan’s bid to be AIIB founding member

BEIJING — China has turned down Taiwan’s application to become a founding member of the planned Beijing-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), officials on both sides of the Taiwan Strait said yesterday.

But the Taiwan Affairs Office of China’s State Council said the self-ruled island, which Beijing regards as a renegade province awaiting reunification with the mainland, is welcome to participate in the AIIB in the future under an “appropriate” name.

Taiwan submitted a letter of intent to China to join AIIB on March 31, the deadline Beijing had set for accepting formal intentions to become founding members.

In Taipei, officials confirmed the rejection, but it made clear that Taiwan remained interested in joining the institution, if not under its official name, “Republic of China”, or as “Taiwan”, then as “Chinese Taipei”, the name it uses in other institutions such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng told reporters after meeting Premier Mao Chih-kuo that they agreed that the government would now focus on becoming a regular AIIB member rather than a founding member, and that the name “Chinese Taipei” is the least Taiwan can accept to become a member.

In a similar vein, Presidential Office spokesman Charles Chen said that “if the capacity Taiwan is allowed to use is not based on dignity and equality, it is better that Taiwan does not participate at all”.

In Beijing, Mr Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office, emphasised that the AIIB is an international, multilateral institution featuring openness and inclusion, and said: “I believe we will find a way to let Taiwan participate in a proper capacity.”

Noting that Beijing is planning to put together by June the basic rules governing the bank, he said “pragmatic” negotiations on Taiwan’s participation could be held amid this process.

The Taiwanese government has said that joining the AIIB would help the island further integrate into the regional economy, increase the opportunities of participating in international affairs and create business opportunities for local companies.

However, Beijing has made it clear that it is intent on avoiding the creation of the perception of there being “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan”.

Taiwan and China have been governed separately since they split during a civil war in 1949. Beijing has not ruled out the use of force to reunite the two sides.

China’s Foreign Ministry has said Taiwan could “follow precedents” when it comes to the name to be used for participating in the AIIB.

Taiwan has used different names to join international organisations in the past. It is known as Taipei China in the Asian Development Bank and Chinese Taipei in the International Olympic Committee, while it joined the World Trade Organization under the name of Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu.

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou has said “Chinese Taipei” would be the best choice for the island’s participation in the AIIB. KYODO NEWS