This year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum leaders summit will get underway in Lima, Peru on November 22. APEC was established in 1989 and 21 economic entities are now members of the organization. Since its founding, APEC has served as a cornerstone in promoting economic and trade liberalization in the Asia-Pacific region. The ROC joined APEC in 1991 and throughout the years has been an active participant in a variety of APEC-related conferences. The theme for this year's APEC forum summit is "New Commitment for the Development of the Asia-Pacific."
President Ma Ying-jeou has requested that Mr. Lien Chan attend the leaders summit as the Leader's Representative. Mr. Lien presently serves as the chairman of the National Policy Foundation. He has a high degree of academic distinction and has a comprehensive understanding of world affairs. Mr. Lien is the most appropriate person to attend the APEC forum on behalf of the ROC, and he will certainly make an outstanding contribution to economic integration of the Asia-Pacific region.