Beijing Pressures Lawmakers from Six Countries to Skip Taiwan Conference

Lawmakers from six countries, including Bolivia, Colombia, Slovakia, North Macedonia, Bosnia, and an unnamed Asian country, reported Chinese diplomatic pressure to skip a Taiwan conference by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC). This unprecedented move aims to isolate Taiwan, viewed by China as its territory. Lawmakers received calls and messages urging them to avoid the event. Despite the pressure, many lawmakers remain determined to attend, criticizing China's interference as "gross foreign interference." IPAC's annual meeting will proceed with participants from 25 countries.