Dutch MP: We stand with Taiwan under 'democratic umbrella' against China

A delegation of international parliamentarians, including Dutch MP Michiel van Nispen, arrived in Taiwan to reinforce a "democratic protective umbrella" against Chinese pressure. Van Nispen stated that their visit signifies a commitment to standing with Taiwan and President Lai Ching-te.

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We are here to jointly hold up a "democratic protective umbrella" with Taiwan.

During a meeting with President Lai, van Nispen detailed the challenges faced by members of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC). He revealed that Chinese hacker groups have targeted the email accounts of IPAC members, and Chinese diplomats have pressured parliamentarians to boycott IPAC summits. The delegation itself faced protests, threats, and sanctions for their visit to Taiwan, yet they proceeded.

President Lai highlighted the "2026 Taiwan International Maritime Forum" as a crucial link between Taiwan and the world, with over 100 experts and parliamentarians from 15 countries participating. He stressed that maritime security in the Indo-Pacific faces unprecedented challenges, including frequent "gray zone" intrusions, escalating maritime law enforcement conflicts, and risks to undersea infrastructure. Lai thanked the G7 for their recent statement supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific and opposing unilateral changes to the status quo.

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The "2026 Taiwan International Maritime Forum" will be held tomorrow and the day after. This is an important link between Taiwan and the world.

Van Nispen, representing 300 parliamentarians from 45 IPAC countries, emphasized that maintaining the status quo, security, and freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait is a priority for IPAC. He noted that the delegation would discuss practical steps based on IPAC's "MIST Action Plan" and "2758 Initiative" at the forum, underscoring the importance of strengthening Taiwan's resilience through international maritime security cooperation.

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Maritime security in the Indo-Pacific is facing unprecedented challenges, including increasingly frequent gray zone intrusions, escalating maritime law enforcement conflicts, and the risk of damage to critical infrastructure such as undersea cables.

Executive Minister of the Ocean Affairs Council, Kuan Bi-ling, stated that the forum brings together 68 attendees from 16 countries, including parliamentarians, government officials, and experts. The discussions will focus on how Taiwan's maritime resilience supports a free and open Indo-Pacific, addressing issues from "gray zone" tactics to economic security. She described Taiwan as a frontline practitioner facing these challenges daily and stressed that genuine peace requires coordinated international action.

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Maintaining the status quo, security, and freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait is a priority issue for IPAC.