Taiwan interested in joining AIIB: finance chief

TAIPEI -- Taiwan is willing to join the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) if invited, Taiwan's finance chief Chang Sheng-ford said Thursday.

When asked by lawmakers on Thursday, Chang said the participation would open up a good channel for Taiwan's investment.

His remarks came after three large eurozone economies -- France, Germany and Italy -- announced their intention to become prospective founding members of the AIIB.

Britain last week announced its own decision to join the AIIB.

With an expected initial subscribed capital of $50 billion, the AIIB will fund infrastructure projects in Asia and is expected to be formally established by the end of this year.

The bank was initially proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping with a mission of helping to fund infrastructure projects in poor Asian countries.

Chinese mainland has pledged a large part of the initial $50 billion capital.

Twenty-one countries including China, India and Singapore signed a memorandum of understanding in Beijing in October last year to found the bank.