The International Liberal Federation’s General Assembly is being held this year in Thailand and Taiwan, with Taiwanese legislator Fan Yun representing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) at the event, where she is also running for the position of executive vice president. She emphasized that Taiwan possesses a wealth of experience in areas such as healthcare and education, and is uniquely positioned to contribute more to the global community, especially in the face of increasing threats from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to its democratic values.
Fan Yun issued a press release highlighting the significance of the General Assembly of the International Liberal Federation, known as the Liberal International, which returns to Asia after a 15-year hiatus. This year, for the first time, the assembly is being held in both Thailand and Taiwan, with the initial phase of the meetings concluded in Bangkok before shifting to Taipei.
During the assembly on November 3rd, the assembly adopted a resolution titled “Today’s World,” recognizing President Lai Ching-te’s “Four Pillars of Peace” and acknowledging Taiwan’s resilience in democracy and its commitment to societal defense. The resolution also expressed concern regarding the increasingly normalized military intimidation and gray zone threats posed by the CCP towards Taiwan. It underscored the independence of democratic Taiwan from authoritarian China, asserting that the coercive actions of the CCP not only disrupt the status quo in the Taiwan Strait but also pose a threat to security in the Indo-Pacific region and the international order.
Fan Yun reported that three resolutions proposed by the DPP were unanimously passed by the assembly. The first resolution condemned the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the laws of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), denouncing transnational repression. It reiterated that the authoritarian government must not silence critics, political dissenters, civil society organizations, or communities in exile outside its borders and called on democratic nations to refuse to cooperate in such acts.
Additionally, Fan mentioned the resolution on “Maintaining Freedom of Navigation in the Indo-Pacific Region,” which emphasized that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are crucial for the global economy and international shipping. It urged Indo-Pacific countries to enhance maritime surveillance and information sharing, while supporting Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international maritime security cooperation.
Another resolution, directed against the CCP’s illegal claim of jurisdiction and sovereignty over Taiwan, clearly stated that the CCP does not have legitimate authority over Taiwan, and that the legitimacy of the Taiwanese government stems from the democratic will of the Taiwanese people. The future of Taiwan must be determined by the Taiwanese people through democratic processes.
During her address to representatives from various countries at the assembly, Fan Yun elaborated on her vision for the role of executive vice president. She pointed out that the DPP has held observer status in the International Liberal Federation since 1994, marking over 30 years of engagement. This year represents the 11th year of the DPP’s governance in Taiwan, a period during which Taiwan is prepared to offer even more contributions to the free world. Fan highlighted Taiwan’s rich experience in healthcare and education, asserting that it has maintained a diverse democracy even amidst threats from the CCP.
Fan Yun emphasized that Taiwan is ready to contribute more to international discussions and that there is potential for greater contributions from Asia as well. She expressed her hope to welcome liberal partners from around the world to Taiwan, allowing them to understand Taiwan’s democratic society firsthand, while continuing to deepen international collaboration. This collective effort aims to enhance Taiwan’s role in advancing global freedom and democratic development.