Taiwan steps up interparliamentary diplomacy

2016/04/29

Legislators from Taiwan’s ruling and opposition parties are promoting interparliamentary diplomacy with their counterparts around the world as evidenced by the establishment of over 40 international friendship groups in the Legislative Yuan.

This approach has reached a new level following the commencement of the ninth Legislative Yuan in February. The past two months saw a flurry of tie-ups between Taiwan’s highest lawmaking body and those in Canada, India, Japan, South Korea, as well as Australasia and Latin American countries.

Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Kuan Bi-ling, chairwoman of the newly founded Taiwan-India Parliamentary Friendship Association, said her group plays a substantive role in complementing the diplomatic efforts of the government.

“India is increasingly important as an investment destination for local enterprises,” Kuan said. “Our group can serve as a channel of communication between the two sides, helping facilitate the incoming DPP administration’s southbound outreach.”

This philosophy is shared by Lin Te-fu, Kuomintang caucus whip and head of a new friendship initiative for Taiwan and South Korean legislators. “The two countries have built strong ties in culture, economy and tourism over the years, and we expect to further bolster the relationship building on robust legislative exchanges,” Lin said.

Efforts in this regard have paid handsome dividends. Lin is scheduled to lead an official delegation in May to the Northeast Asian country on behalf of Legislative Yuan President Su Jia-chyuan, the first such visit by Taiwan legislators since Seoul switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing over 20 years ago.

The Legislative Yuan is also seeking a positive role in multilateral networks. Its involvement in Asian Pacific Parliamentarians’ Union, Central American Parliament (PARLACEN), Democratic Pacific Union and Forum of Speakers of the Legislative Bodies of Central American and Caribbean Basin (FOPREL) is testament to this commitment to expanding Taiwan’s international participation.

Going forward, interparliamentary diplomacy is viewed as helping Taiwan win due recognition for its democratic and economic achievements across international society. Strengthening these ties is key to putting in place the building blocks for Taiwan’s expanded participation in the international community.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=244170&ctNode=2194&mp=9)