Taiwan's labor minister Hung Shen-han is heading to Nanjing, China, for an APEC ministerial meeting — a routine but politically sensitive trip that Taiwan's China-affairs body hopes goes off without incident.

• Hung will attend the APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting in Nanjing on September 21–22.
• Straits Exchange Foundation secretary-general Lo Wen-chia said Taiwan and China have a long-standing understanding about Taiwan's participation in APEC, and both sides want as few surprises as possible.
• The SEF's message to Hung was simple: "go safely, come back safely."
• The only help Hung actually asked for was a small carry-on suitcase, borrowed from Lo so he could skip checked luggage for the two-night trip.

Outlook: The trip is expected to proceed under normal APEC protocol, with Taiwan treating it as a necessary part of staying active in international organizations despite cross-strait tensions.