Ten percent of global GDP—that’s the estimated cost of a war over Taiwan, says Independent MP Kevin Vuong, who recently visited the island. He joined global lawmakers there to condemn China’s escalating military threat to the democratic island.
Vuong’s comment came as he travelled to Taiwan for the 2024 summit with the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), which took place from July 30 to 31. Lawmakers from different parties gathered to address China’s growing authoritarianism at home and its increasingly assertive influence around the world.
The IPAC’s fourth annual summit brought together 48 lawmakers from 24 countries. In addition to Vuong, MP Yves Perron from the Bloc Québécois also attended the event.
Beijing’s Interference
Beijing has drawn criticism for pressuring several lawmakers in an attempt to prevent their attendance at the IPAC summit in Taiwan.
Addressing attendees at the IPAC summit on July 30, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te pledged full support for the “democratic umbrella” to help avert the threats of China’s expanding authoritarianism.
“China’s outward expansion of authoritarianism is evident through its military intimidation of neighbouring countries and through tactics including diplomatic suppression, economic coercion, cyberattacks, and the spreading of disinformation,” Lai said. “Their continuously escalating gray-zone aggression undermines regional peace and stability.”
Frank Fang contributed to this report.