The Presidential Office is expected to announce the appointment after completing consultations on related details with the host country, Singapore, the CNA cited sources close to Ma as saying.

This would be the second consecutive year that Lien will represent Taipei in the APEC summit.

Lien attended last year's summit in Peru, becoming the highest-ranking former Taiwan official ever allowed to take part in the annual meeting.

Ma yesterday told the KMT's National Congress that Lien's participation in last year's APEC meet enhanced Taiwan's status and image.

He said he expects the former vice president to continue to provide his assistance and guidance in this area. Ma was sworn in as the party's new chairman at the congress. Lien, an honorary chairman of the party, was present.

The upcoming APEC summit is slated for Nov. 12-14 in Singapore.

APEC members are represented by their government leaders in the summit.

But Taiwan's presidents have been unable to attend because of objection from Beijing, which claims Taiwan as a part of China.