Lawrence Chung Taiwan will send its top trade negotiator to next week'sAsia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec)ministerial meeting in mainland China - a rare occurrence since the two sides cut off official communication in 2016. Analysts said the move suggested both sides were still trying to preserve a workable status quo within the regional forum despite worsening cross-strait tensions. The Apec trade ministers'meeting will be held in Suzhou, a city in Jiangsu province, between May 22 and 23.