Taiwan says China is downgrading it at this month's APEC summit, which is bad news for Taiwan's standing on the world stage but is being pushed back on by Taipei.

• China, hosting the APEC summit in Shenzhen on November 18-19, sent Taiwan an informal invite by email instead of a proper letter.
• The invite also skipped Taiwan's official APEC title, "Chinese Taipei," which China normally has to use under the group's rules.
• Taiwan's cabinet chief, Cho Jung-tai, said he wants China to follow normal international rules and treat all members equally.
• Taiwan says it's still pushing to attend with equal standing and dignity, and hasn't ruled out other steps yet.

Outlook: Taiwan is still trying to secure a proper, equal invitation before the summit; how China responds will signal whether cross-strait tensions are easing or hardening.