Locals pose for photographs beside signage for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Shenzhen, China. (AFP pic)TAIPEI: Taiwan is participating in this year's Apec leaders' summit in China on the principle of interaction on an "equal basis", President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday, after his government called for a written guarantee from Beijing for that to happen.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) grouping is one of the few international bodies that include Taiwan, which China views as its own territory. China is this year's host, with the leaders' summit next week in the southern city of Shenzhen.

However, relations between Taipei and Beijing are extremely tense. China refuses to talk to Lai, saying he is a "separatist", and its military operates around the island on a daily basis. Lai rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims.