Taiwan's government says China's informal handling of this year's APEC summit invitation looks like a deliberate snub, and officials say that makes it more important to attend, not less.

• China is hosting the APEC summit in Shenzhen later this month and sent Taiwan's invitation by email instead of through a personal envoy, breaking with past practice.
• Premier Cho Jung-tai said he doesn't know who sent the email, but confirmed it falls short of the usual diplomatic protocol other host countries have followed.
• Lawmakers pressed officials on whether this is China downgrading Taiwan's status; the government denied politicizing the issue and said unequal treatment of Taiwan's elected leadership would be China trying to divide Taiwanese society.
• Officials argue that if the goal was to discourage Taiwan from showing up, that's exactly why Taiwan should participate actively in APEC and other international bodies.

Outlook: Taiwan's government says it's still weighing how to engage with this year's summit, but signals it intends to push for meaningful participation despite the diplomatic snub.