Answering questions at a Legislative Yuan committee meeting, Ou said Lien would tell Hu of Taiwan’s intention to join the WHA or the World Health Organization when they meet at an APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) informal summit at Lima, Peru on November 22-23.

Lien represents President Ma Ying-jeou at the Peru summit.

Asked if there are chances for Taiwan to join the U.N.-affiliated organization, the foreign minister said Lien is “persuasive” and has been on very friendly terms with the Chinese president.

In fact, Lien made his historic journey of peace to China and met Hu in Beijing right after the People’s Republic adopted an anti-secession law that codifies an invasion of Taiwan, if Taipei makes a move towards de jure independence.

“We have a 60 percent chance to succeed,” Ou estimated. “At any rate, it is highly likely that we will succeed, particularly in view of a long period for preparations we have before the WHA convenes in May next year,” he pointed out.