By Chen Yun-yu, Novia Huang, Wang Yang-yu and Evelyn Kao
TAIPEI, Taiwan, (CNA) – Members of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) called for greater support for Taiwan and expressed opposition to any unilateral change of the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, in a joint communique issued Wednesday.
IPAC, a body of some 200 global legislators from 30 countries adopted the communique supporting Taiwan and addressing different policy areas relating to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) at the conclusion of its annual summit in Washington, DC.
“Our countries’ relations with Taiwan are not the PRC’s to determine. We will resist the PRC’s attempts to subvert the free conduct of our foreign policies,” IPAC said in the communique.
The international group of legislators also agreed to ensure that Taiwanese representative offices worldwide were given the ability to enhance economic, social, cultural and political relations.
In addition, IPAC said it would work toward the meaningful inclusion of Taiwan in the operation of international organizations like the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Criminal Police Organization, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
IPAC said that it stood with Taiwan against Chinese Communist Party aggression and in defense of peace.
“We oppose any unilateral change of the status quo across the Taiwan Strait and deplore the use or threat of force,” it said.
In the communique, IPAC also called for member countries to adopt policies to enable democracies to stand strong against the PRC’s military and economic intimidation.
In addition, the alliance said it would ensure its member governments signal to the PRC that military aggression toward Taiwan would cost Beijing dearly.
It indicated that economic and political measures, including meaningful sanctions, should be considered to deter military escalation and to ensure trade and other exchanges with Taiwan can continue unimpeded.
Moreover, IPAC said it would also encourage increased economic cooperation and trade between Taiwan and its member countries, including supporting Taiwanese accession to appropriate trading blocs and developing bilateral trade and investment agreements.
The annual IPAC summit was held Monday to Wednesday, gathering more than 60 parliamentarians from 30 countries.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Fan Yun (范雲), independent Legislator Freddy Lim (林昶佐), and New Power Party Legislator Claire Wang (王婉諭) from Taiwan were invited to attend this year’s IPAC summit.
The communique covers six sections addressing human rights, safeguarding the international rules-based order, Hong Kong, Taiwan, strengthening democracy, and support for Ukraine, according to IPAC.
On Thursday, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its sincere welcome and thanks to IPAC, saying that the country would work with the group and other like-minded partners to maintain regional peace and stability and safeguard shared democratic values.
