The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) welcomes Taiwan as its new member.
TAIPEI, Taiwan—Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te pledged to work closely with like-minded partners to uphold democracy in the world in the face of the Chinese communist regime’s expanding aggression and authoritarianism.
Mr. Lai made his remarks at a summit held by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), a group of more than 200 lawmakers from countries around the world who believe that coordinated responses are needed to confront Beijing’s malign activities.
This year marks the first time the annual event was held in Taiwan.
According to IPAC, 49 politicians from 24 countries took part in the summit this year, including British Labor MP Sarah Champion and Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith, Japanese House member Otokita Shun, Canadian independent MP Kevin Vuong, French Sen. Olivier Cadic, Chech Republic House member Eva Decroix, Australian Labor Sen. Deborah O’Neill, and European Parliament member Miriam Lexman.
“China’s outward expansion of authoritarianism is evident through its military intimidation of neighboring countries, and through tactics including diplomatic suppression, economic coercion, cyberattacks, and the spreading of disinformation,” Mr. Lai said. “Their continuously escalating gray-zone aggression undermines regional peace and stability.”
During his speech, Mr. Lai also outlined his four-pillar strategy for Taiwan to defend itself, including strengthening national defense, improving economic security, and working side by side with other democratic partners.
IPAC Members
After Mr. Lai’s speech, IPAC issued a statement announcing Taiwan’s membership in the alliance. It said that two Taiwanese lawmakers, Fan Yun from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and Chen Gau-tzu from the opposition Taiwan People’s Party, would serve as co-chairs of the island’s legislature in the group.
“IPAC is a strong advocate for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. Its formal inclusion in the Alliance was welcomed as a historic result by all delegates,” the statement said.
Established in 2020, the alliance now consists of lawmakers from 40 countries, with Colombia, the Solomon Islands, and Uruguay as recent new members.
“The PRC has since worked to ‘internationalize’ its ‘One China’ Principle and to conflate it with UN Resolution 2758, a revisionist shift from the original intent of the document,” the report states.
“These attempts highlight the need to raise a democratic umbrella not only over Taiwan, but over like-minded democracies. The network is resolved to protect our institutions and communities from the PRC’s foreign interference and transnational repression activities.”