Press Release

Legislative Yuan

November 2, 2022

President You Si-kun receives an 11-member delegation from the Interparliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC)

You Si-kun: Grateful for IPAC support for Taiwan

Accompanied by Legislators Freddy Lim, Secretary General Lin Jih-jia, Consultant Chou Ya-shu, and Secretariat Director Kung Ping-chie, Legislative Yuan President You Si-kun met with an 11-member delegation from the Interparliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC). Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ming-yen Tsai, Secretary General of the Department of European Affairs Liu Tuo, and Secretary at the Taipei Representative Office in the U.K. Kuo Fang-ru were also in attendance.  

The delegation called on the Committee of Foreign Affairs and National Defense after their arrival at the Legislative Yuan. Committee convener Legislator Wang Ting-yu, along with Democratic Progressive Party Legislators Ho Chih-wei, Fan Yuan, Chao Tien-lin, Lin Ching-yi, and Tang Hui-jen; Taiwan People’s Party Legislator Chiu Chen-yuan: New Power Party Legislator Wang Wan-yu; and independent Legislator Freddy Lim extended a warm welcome to the delegation. Legislator Wang Ting-yu stated that the delegation enjoys three “firsts.” First, this marked the first time a foreign delegation had ever visited the Committee of Foreign Affairs and National Defense during the budgetary session. Second, it was the first time IPAC parliamentarians from different countries had visited the Committee. Third, this was the first time so many parliamentarians from different countries were on hand to witness the value of Taiwan’s democracy. After both sides exchanged views, the IPAC delegation called on President You.

In remarks at the event, President You stated that in a pre-recorded video in September this year, he had conveyed his congratulations to IPAC during its annual meeting. He was delighted to be meeting delegation members in person less than two months following that event. President You further extended his appreciation to IPAC for having invited Taiwan’s legislators to attend two annual meetings, urging the global democratic camp to pay attention to China’s verbal attacks and military intimidation against Taiwan, issue statements in support of Taiwan and defend stability across the Taiwan Strait, and support Taiwan’s participation in various international organizations.

President You continued by noting that when he led a delegation on a visit to Europe in July, he met with IPAC Co-chair Pavel Fisher of the Czech Republic; Co-chair Žygimantas Pavilionis of Lithuania; Co-Chairs André Gattolin and Constance Le Grip of France; and Co-Chair Cătălin Teniță of Romania to exchange views. Although the meeting was short, their concern for Taiwan was clear. President You expressed his appreciation to IPAC for the friendship extended by democratic allies to Taiwan.

President You noted that Taiwan has long been on the front lines fighting hegemony. The situation across the Taiwan Strait has deteriorated since China’s 20th National Party Congress. When President You met with Ukraine Party Chairperson Kira Rudik last week, she warned democratic countries to take Ukraine as an example and not presume that an authoritarian dictatorship would not launch a war. Like Ukraine, Taiwan is threatened by an ambitious authoritarian neighbor. Accordingly, Taiwan has never let its guard down. The government has done its best to ensure the people of Taiwan do not live in fear despite the threat of the Chinese Communist Party. President You urged mutual encouragement between democracies and a robust defense of the shared universal values of democracy, freedom, rule of law, and human rights. These are both a common cause as well as the most important mission of IPAC. This will make evil aggressors understand that they cannot gain what they want through brutality, because democratic and free partners will stand together. Taiwan will always stand firmly with democratic countries to fight authoritarianism and defend democracy.

President You once again thanked IPAC for its support of Taiwan. He believed that the two sides will forge a closer relationship because of democracy. He hoped that IPAC would continue to help Taiwan participate in international organizations and strengthen economic cooperation with Taiwan, to take seriously the threat of a rising China and deepen parliamentary exchanges with Taiwan, and to make a joint effort for global prosperity, development, and democratic institutions.

Co-chair Mykola Kniazhytskyi stated that this visit was being undertaken as a way of expressing support for democracy and Taiwan. Democracies are all part of a large family, and he shared that he was pleased that relations between Taiwan and Ukraine are entering a new chapter. Visits by Ukrainian parliamentarians, as well as the issues discussed, have elevated the level of bilateral cooperation. Over the past eight months, Ukraine’s brave fight against Russia’s bloody incursion has protected the lives and sovereignty of the people of Ukraine. Taiwan also stands on the front lines defending itself. Taiwan faces an authoritarian regime that seeks to force it, Taiwan, to give up freedom and democracy and demands that it be subject to the Chinese Communist Party. Ukraine has more than 30 years of experience with civil society and democratic development. It has more than eight months of experience in fighting Russia, which is militarily superior. Ukraine is willing to share with Taiwan methods of fighting back against authoritarian penetration and aggression and seeking ultimate victory. Ukraine can learn from Taiwan about national identity, institutional protection, and economic development. 

President You went on to exchange views with the distinguished members of the delegation and legislators on issues concerning deepening democracy. The delegation members shared what they had learned on this visit. They stated that they would be more active in supporting Taiwan and would work to enhance exchanges and cooperation with Taiwan in various fields. The meeting concluded at 15:30 after the presentation of a token of friendship and a group photo. (E)