July 28, 2024
AP reporting – Lawmakers from at least six countries have reported receiving pressure from Chinese diplomats urging them not to attend a summit focused on China in Taiwan, highlighting efforts by Beijing to isolate the self-governed island. Politicians from Bolivia, Colombia, Slovakia, North Macedonia, Bosnia, and another unnamed Asian country revealed that Chinese officials reached out with texts, calls, and meeting requests conflicting with their travel plans to Taipei.
The summit, organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), includes legislators from 35 countries concerned about democratic approaches to Beijing. This year’s event marks the first time IPAC’s annual summit is held in Taiwan, with heightened Chinese diplomatic interference reported.
The interference ranged from vague inquiries to more direct pressures, including threats to party leaders to prevent lawmakers from attending. Bosnian parliamentarian Sanela Klarić shared that Chinese diplomats contacted her party’s leader to stop her travel, which she equated to past experiences of intimidation during the Bosnian wars.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not comment, but IPAC director Luke de Pulford condemned the actions as “gross foreign interference,” criticizing China’s attempt to dictate the travel plans of foreign legislators. The pressure has reportedly strengthened the resolve of the summit participants to attend and support Taiwan.
China routinely pressures other nations and politicians who engage with Taiwan, viewing the island as part of its territory. Recent Chinese actions include criticizing Taiwan’s military exercises and reducing Taiwan’s diplomatic allies through promises of aid.
The heavy-handed tactics have led to international backlash, such as the EU’s criticism and action against China at the WTO following the diplomatic spat with Lithuania over Taiwan’s representative office. Bolivian Senator Centa Rek highlighted the extent of Chinese interference, describing it as a violation of international norms. Participants in the summit, including Slovakian MEP Miriam Lexmann, stressed the importance of exchanging strategies on dealing with China’s challenges to democratic nations and supporting Taiwan.
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