In a gathering of foreign lawmakers in Taipei, President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan delivered a dire warning about the global ramifications of a potential Chinese invasion of the island. Addressing the summit organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), President Lai emphasized that such an event would have more severe consequences than both Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine and the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Speaking on Tuesday during the largest assembly of foreign dignitaries in Taiwan, President Lai highlighted the profound economic and geopolitical impacts a conflict in the Taiwan Strait would precipitate. He stressed that “any conflict in the Taiwan Strait will have a more profound economic impact on the world than the Russia-Ukraine war and Covid-19.” This statement underscored Taiwan's integral role in global supply chains and the potential for widespread economic upheaval.

 

 

The summit drew hundreds of members from parliaments in over 35 countries, all focused on addressing Beijing’s increasing threats to democracy and human rights. Despite significant pressure from the Chinese government to dissuade participation, lawmakers from nations including the UK, Australia, Japan, and South Korea attended, reaffirming their commitment to Taiwan's sovereignty and regional stability.

 

President Lai commended the international lawmakers for their courage in attending the summit despite China's attempts at intimidation. Reports emerged that Chinese officials had contacted several invitees, urging them not to attend and even offering alternative visits to the Chinese mainland. Lai described these actions as part of a broader campaign of intimidation aimed at Xi Jinping’s “authoritarian external expansion” and the seizure of Taiwan.

 

 

In his address, Lai outlined Taiwan’s preparations for a potential invasion, including recent “unscripted, actual-combat” drills designed to strengthen the island’s defense capabilities. He clarified that military confrontation is not Taiwan’s preferred outcome. “Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are closely related to global democracy, peace, and prosperity,” Lai stated, advocating for collaboration with democratic partners to build a “democratic umbrella” to counteract authoritarian threats.

 

The significance of the summit was underscored by China’s military actions, including sending at least a dozen warplanes across the median line of the Taiwan Strait as the discussions commenced. Despite this show of force, Taiwanese Vice-President Hsiao Bi-khim engaged in candid discussions with the visiting lawmakers, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining regional stability.

 

Luke de Pulford, IPAC’s director, noted the strong consensus among the participants on the importance of preventing an invasion. “There were a lot of different opinions about different scenarios that can happen around the Taiwan Strait. What they do seem to agree on is that [an invasion] must not be allowed to happen, it must be deterred from happening and [we must] use everything that we can in our diplomatic toolbox and otherwise to prevent it from happening,” de Pulford said.

 

He also addressed China’s interference with the summit, condemning Beijing’s attempts to influence the travel plans of foreign politicians. “They tried to bully the global South countries. They wouldn’t dare to do it in Western, richer democracies. They think they can bully and coerce, which is even more deplorable. China’s intimidation tactics did not work,” he stated emphatically.

 

As the world watches the developments in Taiwan, President Lai’s warnings highlight the precarious nature of the situation and the potentially devastating consequences of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait. The summit in Taipei stands as a testament to the international community's resolve to support Taiwan in the face of growing authoritarian pressures from Beijing.

 

Credit: The Independent  2024-08-02

 

 

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Only Trump can difuse this..

 

Kamala doesn't even know where Tapei is..just sayin...

Edited August 1, 20241 yr by RT555