Taiwan China dispute over Apec envoy

Taiwanese and Chinese officials are reported to be still trying to reach an agreement on who should represent Taiwan at a summit of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum this weekend.

China has objected to Taipei's plan to send a former vice president, Li Yuan-zu, to the informal meeting of regional leaders.

Beijing, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province, has said the island should abide by agreements stipulating that Taipei should send a minister in an economy-related post to the annual summits.

China is believed to regard Mr Li as too political a figure.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service