US Congressman Anthony Gonzalez has told the Washington Examiner that it is important for Taiwan to gain membership in the International Monetary Fund. The Washington Examiner published Gonzalez’s remarks in an article Thursday.

Gonzalez introduced a bill in May that would prohibit China from increasing its shareholding in the fund until Taiwan becomes a member or is given the right to meaningful participation.

Gonzalez said that Taiwan is the world’s 22^nd-largest economy. He said Taiwan has built up more than US$480 billion in foreign reserves, surpassing Brazil, India, and South Korea. He also said that because the International Monetary Fund’s members work together to stabilize exchange rates and the global trade balance, Taiwan’s participation as a leading world economy will help developing countries.