In a significant development for global diplomacy and democratic solidarity, the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) has officially welcomed Taiwan as a member during its fourth annual summit held in Taipei on July 30. This move marks a historic moment in international politics, underscoring the growing global resistance to China’s policies.
The announcement was made by IPAC Executive Director Luke de Pulford at a press conference. He introduced ruling Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Fan Yun and opposition Taiwan People’s Party Legislator Chen Gau-Tzu as co-chairs of the Taiwan legislature within IPAC. This dual leadership reflects IPAC’s commitment to cross-party collaboration. According to IPAC’s official website, each legislature in the alliance is led by two co-chairs from diverse political backgrounds, ensuring a broad representation of political perspectives.
In its statement, IPAC expressed robust support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations. “Its [Taiwan’s] formal inclusion in the Alliance was welcomed as a historic result by all delegates,” the statement read. The summit in Taipei, attended by 49 politicians from 24 countries, showcased the increasing international concern about China’s policies.
Established in 2020, IPAC aims to reform global policies towards the People’s Republic of China by uniting lawmakers worldwide, promoting democracy, and addressing threats to the rules-based international order and human rights posed by China’s rise. With Taiwan’s inclusion, IPAC now boasts over 250 cross-party members from 40 countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Previous summits were held in Rome (2021), Washington DC (2022), and Prague (2023).
Taiwan was a central focus of this year’s summit, with powerful speeches by Taiwan President Lai Ching-te and Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim. They emphasized the need for a “democratic umbrella” to defend Taiwan and preserve the international rules-based order. President Lai highlighted the importance of global cooperation in safeguarding democracy against authoritarianism.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Lin Jian, sharply criticized IPAC’s move. “This so-called alliance has maliciously hyped up issues related to China. Spreading lies and rumors about China, and has no credibility whatsoever. There is only one China in the world, and Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory. The Taiwan question is purely China’s internal affair that brooks no interference by any external forces,” he stated.
Reports emerged before the conference that eight lawmakers from at least five countries had faced pressure from Chinese diplomats to avoid attending the summit. These attempts to dissuade foreign parliamentarians were condemned by the organizers as “massively overstepping” and acts of bullying. IPAC’s response was resolute. “The PRC’s actions around IPAC’s Summit are yet another example of their brazen efforts to curtail other nations’ democratic privileges and negate Taiwan’s rights to engage in legitimate diplomatic exchanges,” the organizers stated.
In a decisive move, IPAC announced its largest ever enlargement, welcoming six new countries to the Alliance: Colombia, Iraq, Malawi, Solomon Islands, The Gambia, and Uruguay. This expansion signifies the Alliance’s growing influence and the international community’s collective stand against China’s aggressive policies.
Taiwan’s inclusion in IPAC and the expansion of the Alliance are strategic moves to counter China’s increasing assertiveness on the global stage. This development strengthens international support for Taiwan and highlights the island’s significant role in promoting democratic values in the face of authoritarian pressure.
By uniting lawmakers from diverse political backgrounds and countries, IPAC enhances its capability to advocate for policies that uphold democratic principles and human rights. The Alliance’s growing membership sends a strong message to China that the global community is increasingly unwilling to tolerate its coercive tactics and violations of international norms.
Moreover, the collective action of IPAC members underscores the importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing global challenges posed by authoritarian regimes. The inclusion of new member countries broadens the geographical and political scope of IPAC, making it a more formidable force in international diplomacy.
