A delegation of lawmakers from six parliaments across four continents has criticised China’s actions in the Taiwan Strait after completing what it described as the first international parliamentary fact-finding mission through the strategic waterway.
The mission, organised by Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ocean Affairs Council and the Taiwan Coast Guard at the request of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), was designed to provide lawmakers with first-hand insight into the security situation in the Taiwan Strait.
According to IPAC, the delegation observed maritime activities in the strait, viewed Chinese airport construction on Dadeng Island, met with Taiwanese coast guard and defence officials, and assessed regional security challenges.
The lawmakers also visited Kinmen Island, where they received briefings on maritime infrastructure protection, Taiwan’s response to what it described as China’s “grey-zone” activities, and efforts to strengthen regional supply chain resilience.
As part of the mission, the delegation boarded a Taiwanese coast guard vessel for a 90-minute frontline patrol in waters controlled by Taiwan.
The delegation comprised lawmakers from Britain, Taiwan, New Zealand, the Czech Republic, India and Ukraine, alongside IPAC Executive Director, Luke de Pulford.
Speaking during the visit, British lawmaker, Tom Tugendhat, said the mission demonstrated support for Taiwan and the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues in line with international law.
“This visit underscores our support for Taiwan and for the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues in accordance with international law. We are here to see the situation directly and to ensure our policy positions are grounded in reality,” Tugendhat said.
New Zealand lawmaker, Helen White, said developments in the Taiwan Strait had implications beyond the region.
“What happens in the Taiwan Strait does not stay in the Taiwan Strait. This waterway is the backbone of global trade. That is why we are here, and that is why every parliament in the world should be paying attention,” she said.
Also speaking, IPAC Executive Director, Luke de Pulford, said the multinational delegation undertook the mission to independently assess developments in the Taiwan Strait.
“We came to see the situation in the Taiwan Strait with our own eyes. Representing four continents and every part of the political spectrum, we speak with one voice: aggression against Taiwan must stop, and our democracies must take this threat seriously,” de Pulford said.
Founded in 2020, IPAC says it brings together more than 300 politicians from 45 parliaments to promote democratic cooperation and address what it describes as challenges arising from China’s growing global influence. (NAN)
