Taiwan has announced it will not attend a major upcoming meeting of the World Trade Organization in Cameroon, citing concerns over how it was officially labelled in travel documents issued ahead of the event. 

According to Channel News Asia, Taiwan’s foreign ministry said the decision followed a dispute with Cameroonian authorities, who described the island as “Taiwan, Province of China” in visa paperwork prepared for its delegation. The ministry said it lodged a “stern protest” over the designation, which it views as undermining its political status and sovereignty. 

The situation reportedly worsened after Cameroon issued a visa exemption document that contained multiple errors, including failing to state the delegates’ nationality, misspelling names and incorrectly identifying most of the group as female. Taiwan said these issues indicated a lack of genuine effort to resolve the matter, CNA reported. 

In a statement cited by CNA, the ministry said the delegation could face difficulties entering Cameroon using documents containing incorrect information, adding that the decision to withdraw was also intended to “uphold national dignity.” It emphasised that Taiwan participates in the WTO as a “separate customs territory” and not as a subordinate entity to any other member. 

The dispute reflects ongoing tensions over Taiwan’s international status. China considers Taiwan part of its territory and opposes references that suggest it is an independent state. As a result, Taiwan is often required to participate in international organisations under alternative names. At the WTO, it is officially recognised as the “Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu. 

Taiwan joined the WTO in 2002, shortly after China, and has regularly participated in its meetings. The upcoming ministerial conference in Yaoundé, scheduled for March 26 to 29, is the organisation’s highest decision-making gathering and is typically held every two years, according to CNA. 

The WTO declined to comment on the situation, while Taiwan reiterated that its right to participate equally in international trade forums should not be compromised.