Taiwan seeks inclusion in East Asia summit

A Taiwanese delegation lobbied Wednesday for the self-ruled island to be on the agenda at the inaugural East Asia Summit in December despite fears that China may try to block the move.

The three-man delegation, headed by Fu-chen Lo, chairman of the non-government Association of East Asian Relations in Taiwan, said during a stop in Manila that leaving Taiwan out of a proposed regional trade bloc would create a "missing link."

The bloc would comprise the 10-member Association of Southeast Nations plus Japan, China, South Korea and India — and possibly Australia and New Zealand.

Lo said Taipei wants to create awareness among the region’s major players that "Taiwan should be considered a very constructive partner."

"We certainly hope to be part of this bigger community," added Chen-en Ko, vice chairman of Taiwan Think Tank and an adviser to Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian.

But the issue is sensitive because China considers the island a part of its territory.

Lo pointed out that Taiwan already belongs to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and the World Trade Organization.

Ko said that "for the extension of ASEAN to be complete, it should be inclusive along all these islands. Without Taiwan, (there’s) a missing link in this process."

From the Philippines, the delegation left for a visit to Vietnam.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The group already meets with China, Japan and South Korea in annual summits called "ASEAN-plus-3."

The East Asia Summit will be hosted by Kuala Lumpur. Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad has long championed the special summit to discuss the creation of a regional trade bloc to rival the European Union and North America.

Singapore has proposed that Australia, India and New Zealand also be allowed to join the December summit, while Japan has mentioned including the United States. — AP, Pia Lee-Brago