Taiwan president urges democracies to unite at largest-ever gathering of foreign lawmakers in Taipei

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Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, center left, poses for photos at a gathering of the largest delegation of foreign lawmakers to visit Taiwan in Taipei, Taiwan Tuesday, July 30, 2024. The delegation by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, or IPAC, is a group of hundreds of lawmakers from 35 countries concerned about how democracies approach Beijing. Lai told attendees that their participation showed the importance of democratic unity, even as Beijing put pressure on lawmakers not to attend the conference. (AP Photo/Dake Kang)

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, center left, poses for photos at a gathering of the largest delegation of foreign lawmakers to visit Taiwan in Taipei, Taiwan Tuesday, July 30, 2024. The delegation by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, or IPAC, is a group of hundreds of lawmakers from 35 countries concerned about how democracies approach Beijing. Lai told attendees.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te welcomed what he called the “largest-ever” delegation of foreign lawmakers to Taiwan and said Tuesday it showed the importance of democracies uniting, even as Beijing pressured members of the delegation not to visit.

“This demonstrates the support and the value various other countries place on Taiwan,” Lai said. “It also sends an important message to democratic countries around the world. Maintaining democracy requires unity, and we must protect democracy together."

Lai made his remarks at a conference in Taipei held by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, a group of hundreds of lawmakers from dozens of countries concerned about how democracies approach Beijing.

Beijing views the self-governed island democracy of Taiwan as part of its territory and has been upping its threats to annex it by force if necessary. Lai’s party, the Democratic Progressive Party, doesn’t seek independence from China because he believes that Taiwan is already a sovereign nation.

Beijing sees Lai as a separatist and refuses to speak with him. China has ramped up pressure against the island since Lai took office in May, sending ships and planes on a large military drill to show displeasure at his inauguration. That comes after years of Beijing's pressure on Taiwan — which has been ruled by the DPP for three terms now — on diplomatic, military and economic fronts.

Lai said at the conference that Taiwan would work with other democracies to protect democracy from "the threat of authoritarian expansionism.”

“China’s threat to any country is a threat to the whole world,” Lai told attendees. China “uses diplomatic kidnapping, economic coercion, internet attacks, and spreading false and fake things to continuously muddle matters and seek to undermine regional peace and stability.”

Lawmakers from at least six countries told the AP earlier this week that Chinese diplomats were pressuring them not to attend the conference. IPAC has long been despised by the Chinese government: Some members have been sanctioned by Beijing, and in 2021 the group was targeted by Chinese state-sponsored hackers, according to a U.S. indictment unsealed earlier this year.

But the group continues to expand. On Tuesday, IPAC leaders announced lawmakers from six new countries were joining the alliance, as well as two lawmakers from Taiwan, a first for the island.

In a written statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said IPAC “has no credibility at all” and repeated its stance that Taiwan is part of Chinese territory.

“China firmly opposes any form of official exchanges between countries with diplomatic ties with China and the Taiwan authorities,” the statement said.

Beijing prevents countries it has diplomatic relations with from having formal ties with Taipei. China has been peeling off the island’s diplomatic allies, often with promises of development aid, in a long-running competition between the two that has swung in Beijing’s favor in recent years. The Pacific Island nation of Nauru switched recognition to Beijing earlier this year, a move that reduced Taiwan’s dwindling number of diplomatic allies to 12.

Since Lai took office in May, tensions have continued to simmer in the region.

Last month, Beijing’s top court issued guidance saying the death penalty could be used against “hardcore” Taiwan independence supporters. In response, Taiwan urged its citizens to avoid traveling to China and the semi-autonomous Chinese territories of Hong Kong and Macao.

The U.S. has been aiding in the upgrading of Taiwan’s military equipment and training, with the U.S. State Department approving the sale to Taiwan of missiles and drones for an estimated $360 million in June. In April, the House of Representatives approved an $8 billion military aid package for Taiwan.

The upcoming U.S. elections, however, have raised questions about the future of Washington's relations with Taipei.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said in an interview earlier this month that Taiwan should pay for U.S. protection, dodged the question of whether he would defend the island from Beijing’s military action and accused the island of taking the computer chip industry away from the United States.

The U.S., like most countries, does not recognize Taiwan as a country. But it’s the island’s main partner and is bound by U.S. laws to provide it with the means to defend itself.

Former German member of the European Parliament Reinhard Bütikofer said at the meeting that IPAC hadn't discussed Trump or likely Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, but said Taiwan was committed to spending on defense.

“As regards the facts, as far as I know, Taiwan has already paid $19 billion for arms, bought in the United States, that have not been delivered,” said Bütikofer, an IPAC leader. “So maybe Mr. Trump should look up his facts.”

Lai, the Taiwanese president, has vowed to continue maintaining stability with China while beefing up Taiwan’s security by importing military equipment, expanding its defense industry, and reinforcing regional partnerships with unofficial allies such as the U.S., Japan, South Korea and the Philippines.

“We are willing to replace confrontation with dialogue and containment with exchanges under the principles of reciprocity and dignity,” Lai said.

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Taiwan's President Lai calls for unity in face of China 'threat'

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te said Tuesday "a threat from China to any country is a threat to the world", emphasizing that global democracies must unite against "authoritarian expansion" (Handout)

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te said Tuesday "a threat from China to any country is a threat to the world", emphasizing to lawmakers of more than 20 countries that global democracies must unite against "authoritarian expansion".

China has in recent years stepped up military and political pressures on democratic Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory.

While Taipei officially only has a dozen diplomatic allies, it has strengthened partnerships with democracies around the world -- especially the United States, its largest weapons provider -- as Beijing ups the rhetoric of unification being "inevitable".

On Tuesday, Lai attended a summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) -- a group of parliamentarians hailing from Uruguay and Canada to Japan and Britain concerned about how democracies interact with Beijing.

Praising the 49 lawmakers from 23 countries and the European Parliament for making the journey to Taipei, Lai said the delegation demonstrates "the importance and support" that various countries have for Taiwan.

"They send a crucial message to democratic partners worldwide: democracy requires unity and protection," he said.

"I want to emphasize that a threat from China to any country is a threat to the world. Taiwan will do everything to join democratic partners to uphold the umbrella of democracy, (and) protect democratic nations from the threat of authoritarian expansion."

Lai, who took office on May 20, is regarded by China as a "dangerous separatist" for his staunch defence of Taiwan's sovereignty.

Three days after he was sworn in, China launched war games, encircling the island with fighter jets and naval vessels, as a "punishment" for Lai's inauguration speech which Beijing said was a "confession of Taiwan independence".

Lai has repeatedly made overtures for dialogue with Beijing -- severed after his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen came into office in 2016 for her stance that Taiwan is not part of China.

But like Tsai, he has also maintained that the island must be united in ensuring its sovereignty by building up its defence capabilities, as China maintains a near-daily military presence by deploying warships, fighter jets and drones around Taiwan.

Lai reiterated Tuesday that Taiwan must "prepare for war to avoid war, and achieve peace through strength".

"We are also willing to take dialogue instead of confrontation with China, and take exchanges instead of containment based on the principle of mutual respect and dignity, to reduce conflicts and achieve peace and stability," he said.

In Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian called on the lawmakers in IPAC to "abandon their ideological prejudices (and) stop using the Taiwan question to interfere in China's internal affairs".

He also blasted efforts by "the Lai Ching-te regime to 'achieve independence by force'" as "futile".

"You will never be able to hold back the great historical trend of China's inevitable and inexorable unification," Lin said.

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Taiwan president warns on China, highlights defence self-reliance

China's threat to any individual country is a threat to the world, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Tuesday, adding that the island will continue to work hard to promote defensive self-reliance and foreign arms purchases.

Taiwan will also work hard to promote regional peace and stability, Lai told a conference of international lawmakers meeting to discuss threats posed by China.

"I'd like to stress that China's threat to any individual country is a threat to the world," Lai told the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) conference in Taipei, a group with ties to an international network of several hundred politicians who promote democratic values and call on Beijing to abide by a rules-based international order.

"Taiwan will do its best to put out a democratic protection umbrella with our democratic partners to keep them away from the threat of authoritarianism," Lai said to the lawmakers from 24 countries including Australia, Britain, Japan and Germany.

China, which views the democratically governed island as its territory, has been staging so-called "grey zone" military exercises for years to pressure Taipei to accept Beijing's claim of sovereignty, despite Taiwan's strong objections.

Taiwan's armed forces are dwarfed by those of China's, but it has been modernising its military with the help of allies such as the United States.

In a statement, some IPAC lawmakers said they had received emails and phone calls from Chinese officials before they left for the summit to dissuade them for attending.

"Democratically elected lawmakers are free to visit and support causes of their choosing. This is the normal exercise of their rights and responsibilities as elected officials," the statement said.

China's Foreign Ministry criticised IPAC for what it said was the malicious hyping up of China-related issues.

"We advise the parliamentarians concerned to abandon ideological bias, stop using the Taiwan issue to interfere in China's internal affairs," said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.

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Eyewitness to Taiwan's annual military drills amid growing China threat

 Taiwan’s annual Han Kuang exercises took place this past week. The yearly war drills aim to rehearse combat readiness for a potential Chinese invasion. Our team traveled to the island to join the military and speak to officials about the annual war games.

While a typhoon grounded several of the air force drills, other exercises took place across Taiwan. Throughout the week, troops opened fire on mock invading forces approaching the island and rehearsed rapid response drills to an attack.

"When you’ve got such a giant threat besides you, any kind of preparation – you cannot say it's enough," said MP Wang Ting Yu, co-chair of Taiwan’s defense and foreign relations committee. "The next few years, maybe three or five years will be a crucial moment to Asia, to the world. Once we do something right, we can deter or postpone that potential conflict," he told Fox News.

Taiwanese soldiers stand on board an amphibious ferrying vehicle and release oil drums onto Tamsui River with the city of New Taipei in the background as part of the annual Han Kuang military drill.
Tawianese soldiers on board an amphibious ferrying vehicle release oil drums onto the Tamsui River during a river defense exercise as part of the annual Han Kuang military drill in New Taipei, Taiwan, on July 22, 2024.

China views the democratically governed island as its own. Taiwanese government officials argue their best defense is deterrence.

An example of Taiwan’s defensive tactics is the island’s "porcupine strategy". Taiwanese researchers explain that with enough small defense mechanisms, the military could disincentivize an attack.

"We are trying to procure more precision weapons, maybe long range, maybe short range, missiles, air defense weaponry, anti-tank missiles. Some portable like a stinger, javelin or everything. That will make Taiwan just like a porcupine. China can attack Taiwan, but they will feel hurt," said Jyh-Shyang Sheu, a researcher at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research.

Alex Hogan interviews MP Wang Ting Yu, MP, co-chair of Taiwan’s defense and foreign relations committee.
Alex Hogan interviews MP Wang Ting Yu, MP, co-chair of Taiwan’s defense and foreign relations committee.

The Taiwanese government says it needs to invest in Western training and more weaponry. "The Taiwanese military need opportunities to have the real battle experience. That's what we can learn from our friends. And second, for the next few years, our indigenous submarines will become our capability, can defend our country," Wang said.

In April, Washington approved a $95 billion dollar aid package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. The United States is also Taiwan's largest arms supplier. Earlier this year, China sanctioned 12 U.S. defense-related companies for arms sales to Taiwan in retaliation after the U.S. sanctioned Chinese companies linked to Russia.

While some analysts argue a blockade is more likely than an invasion, the tension along the Taiwan strait is a common conversation among civilians. It is even enough incentive for some residents to try to flee.

"My friends ask: Why do you want to study abroad, and I say: Because I want to get the visa elsewhere and take all my family away," said Fanyi Chao, a Taiwanese college student studying in California.

Black Hawk helicopters prepare to land at Taoyuan International Airport as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taoyuan, Taiwan, in July 2023.
Black Hawk helicopters prepare to land at Taoyuan International Airport as part of the annual Han Kuang military exercise in Taoyuan, Taiwan, in July 2023.

That fear is not entirely shared around Taipei. Others told our team they think tensions will never actually amount to an invasion. "We have a Chinese saying: the barking dog will not bite people. So, they (China) are always barking, but they don’t have the guts to fight people," a man named Peter, who did not provide his last name, said.

Taiwan however, is drawing parallels between itself and Ukraine. The government says its holding talks with Kyiv on lessons learned from Russia’s invasion.

"The Russian Ukraine (situation) gives lessons, and we must further secure the peace of the Taiwan Strait," said Taiwan’s new Foreign Minister, Lin Chia-Lung, in his first briefing with foreign press since taking office earlier this year.

Those lessons are top of mind for civilians who say they doubt Western allies would come to the island’s aid.

 
Eric Luo learning how to shoot at an airsoft gun range in Taiwan.
Eric Luo learning how to shoot at an airsoft gun range in Taiwan.

"Because of the Ukraine-Russia war, I want to know more about this area. In the future, should a war break out, it might help me to have a chance to protect myself," said Eric Luo. The 30-year-old man is among those spending their free time learning to use firearms. As guns are illegal in Taiwan, students practice realistic airsoft guns.

"I’m a person who wants to be prepared for any situation, but peace must be the most important thing," said another student, Jason Chang.

Across the board, that statement remains consistent. Civilians in training say they want to know how to protect themselves but repeatedly stressed they desperately hope it never comes to that.

"Our fathers, grandfathers experienced wars. We are the children of that generation, so we pass our knowledge to the next generation of young people". Chi-yi Zang, an instructor at the training camp told Fox News. "Whether there will be a war or not, it is not something we ordinary people can decide, but in the face of a war, it’s up to us to protect ourselves."

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