A delegation of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China is welcomed by the government and people of Taiwan, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Oct. 31.
Established in June 2020, IPAC seeks to deepen collaboration between members on issues related to China such as safeguarding international rules-based order, upholding human rights, promoting fair trade, strengthening security and protecting national integrity.
Led by Reinhard Butikofer, co-chair of the IPAC and chair of the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with the People's Republic of China, the group comprises parliamentarians from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Ukraine and the U.K.
The delegation’s itinerary from Nov. 1-4 includes an audience with President Tsai Ing-wen, meetings with Premier Su Tseng-chang and Legislative Yuan Speaker You Si-kun, and a banquet hosted by MOFA Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu.
The group will also visit the Mainland Affairs Council and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, as well as attend round-table discussions with the European Economic and Trade Office, the European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan and other business associations to boost Taiwan-Europe cooperation in areas spanning high-tech, investment, supply chain security and trade.
The visit follows a communique adopted by the IPAC in September condemning China’s live-fire drills since August. The communique further stated that the alliance will increase the number of inter-parliamentary visits to Taiwan, the ministry added.
The IPAC is a staunch Taiwan supporter, the MOFA said, citing a statement calling on the World Health Organization to accept the country’s participation in its decision-making body World Health Assembly in 2020, a video voicing support of Taiwan-Lithuania ties in 2021 and the invitation to Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu to attend its annual meeting via video link last year.
The government will continue to work with IPAC and other like-minded partners to safeguard shared values of freedom and democracy while maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific, the MOFA added.
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said: “A hearty welcome to MEP @bueti & his 7 @ipacglobal colleagues from 7 different countries in #Europe. We look forward to in-depth discussions with the MPs on timely issues such as #DemocracyChip supply chains & wish the first #IPAC delegation to #Taiwan a productive 4-day visit.” (YCH-E)
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