According to sources close to the president, Kuomintang Honorary Chairman and former Vice President Lien Chan will be named as Ma's special envoy to the APEC summit that will be held Nov. 12-14 in Singapore.

In keeping with past practice, the Presidential Office will announce the name after it has formally notified Singapore via a special envoy who will return to Taiwan soon, said Presidential Office spokesman Wang Yu-chi.

In August, Singapore sent a special envoy to Taipei to deliver an invitation to President Ma to attend this year's APEC forum. The Singaporean envoy is expected to return to Taiwan soon to ascertain who will represent Taiwan at the summit.

"This procedure shows respect for the host country," Wang added.

If Lien is selected, he will be representing President Ma at the APEC leaders' summit for the second consecutive year.

Political observers said that Taiwan's choice of envoy to APEC this year will be seen a litmus test for cross-strait relations and a chance to strengthen Taiwan-U.S. relations, as he or she will have the opportunity to meet U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao.