Taiwan's labour minister is set to become the first minister in the Lai government to travel to China, a notable easing signal in a tense cross-strait relationship.

• Hung Sun-han will go to China for the APEC human resources development ministers' meeting.
• Earlier reports said he would lead Taiwan's team to the world skills competition in Shanghai instead — that trip is off.
• Sending a minister to the competition risked turning a youth event into a political story and distracting the young competitors.
• He plans to confirm the decision himself at a media appearance during the labour ministry's annual Ghost Month ceremony.

Outlook: Expect scrutiny of how Beijing handles the visit, since it would be the first cabinet-level Taiwanese trip to China under President Lai.