Taipei, Nov. 2 (CNA) A visiting delegation from the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) on Wednesday pledged to deepen cooperation between their countries and Taiwan against the backdrop of the increased threat from Beijing.
The IPAC members called for increased economic and trade cooperation, as well as parliamentary and diplomatic exchanges, between their countries and Taiwan, said German parliamentarian Gyde Jensen, who spoke on behalf of the IPAC delegation during a meeting with Taiwanese lawmakers at the Legislative Yuan.
"IPAC members are resolute in their commitment to support Taiwan's peace, prosperity and stability," Jensen said.
The delegation's trip to Taiwan came at a time when Taipei is facing "growing threats" from the Chinese government, she said, adding that Beijing had sent military aircraft into Taiwan's air defense identification zone, ramped up economic coercion of the country, and isolated Taipei from the international community.
The IPAC -- an international cross-party network of parliamentarians from 29 countries -- is "standing in solidarity with Taiwan" and hopes to "defend Taiwan's democracy," Jensen added.
The 12-member delegation, led by IPAC Co-chair Reinhard Bütikofer, arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday for a four-day visit.
However, Bütikofer had to cancel his trip to the Legislature on Wednesday because he tested positive for COVID-19, according to Taiwanese Legislator Wang Ting-yu (王定宇) of the Democratic Progressive Party.
Ukrainian parliamentarian Mykola Kniazhytskyi, who is also an IPAC co-chair, later told Legislative Yuan Speaker You Si-kun (游錫堃) at a separate meeting that the delegation is visiting Taiwan to support the island's democracy.
Ukraine is ready to share its experiences with Taiwan in fighting against the encroachment of authoritarianism as the island faces its own challenges posed by "an influential state," said Kniazhytskyi, who also heads the European Union-Ukraine Parliamentary Association Committee.
Meanwhile, You said Taiwan stands ready to work with other democratic nations to defend democracy.
"We must let those aggressors know that they cannot do whatever they want with impunity" by working as a democratic front against authoritarianism, You said.
According to Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the delegation is also scheduled to meet with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) during their stay in Taiwan before leaving on Nov. 4.
The delegation also includes three IPAC co-chairs, namely Belgian parliamentarian Els Van Hoof, Dutch lawmaker Sjoerd Sjoerdsma, and Avdullah Hoti, who previously served as the Prime Minister of Kosovo.
