IPAC LAUNCHES GLOBAL CALL FOR SOLIDARITY WITH LITHUANIA AND TAIWAN: IPAC legislators have made a united call on democratic states to assist Lithuania and Taiwan as they come under increasing pressure from the Chinese government. The statement, released via video, condemns Beijing’s ‘coercive diplomacy’ following the opening of Taiwan’s Representative Office in Vilnius, with IPAC drawing thanks from the Taiwanese government. Taiwan News, LRT, Asia News International.
UK PARLIAMENT BLOCKS CHINA AMBASSADOR WHILE SANCTIONS REMAIN: The Speakers of the House of Commons and the House of Lords moved to block Ambassador Zheng Zeguang to London from giving an address on the Parliamentary estate. The decision followed letters sent by IPAC members Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP, Tim Loughton MP, Nusrat Ghani MP, Lord Alton and Baroness Kennedy, arguing that no such invitation should be extended while Chinese government sanctions remain in place against them and other parliamentarians. The Guardian, BBC.
EU LAUNCHES INDO-PACIFIC STRATEGY: IPAC co-chair Reinhard Bütikofer spoke to Radio Taiwan International prior to the European Union publishing its new Indo-Pacific strategy, which aims to boost ties with Taiwan and other democratic partners in the region.
