Lawmakers from the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) issued a statement on Taiwan’s democracy and the right to self-determination on Tuesday, May 19. Parliamentarians from 30 countries stressed that any international discussions concerning Taiwan’s status and future must include Taiwan.

More than 60 parliamentarians from 30 countries signed the statement, including two from Taiwan - IPAC Taiwan co-chairs Fan Yun (范雲) and Chen Gau-tzu (陳昭姿). The statement recognizes Taiwan as a long-standing, self-governing, democratic society. It adds that the people of Taiwan have maintained a vibrant democracy for decades, which demonstrates that fundamental freedoms can flourish through transparent and representative governance.

The statement urges the international community to respect and protect Taiwan’s right to self-determination and stresses that any international deliberations that impact the security of a democratic population of 23 million while excluding it is wrong and undermines international stability. The signatories pledge to continue to work with the international community to stand in solidarity with Taiwan and ensure its people remain the authors of their own destiny.