Taipei: Visiting Dutch parliamentarian Jan Paternotte has expressed support for upholding freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait, one of the world's busiest commercial waterways, and highlighted its importance to the international community.

According to Focus Taiwan, Paternotte emphasized the significance of preserving navigational freedom for global prosperity and energy security during his meeting with President Lai Ching-te at the Presidential Office. He referenced the critical role that such freedoms play in light of recent geopolitical tensions, notably Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz following military actions by the United States and Israel.

Paternotte, who co-chairs the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), underscored the priority of maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. He noted that IPAC is committed to this issue and that discussions on practical measures will take place at the upcoming Taiwan International Ocean Forum. The forum aims to address initiatives like Operation Measure Impact of a Shock in the Taiwan Strait (MIST) and Initiative 2758, both of which focus on strengthening Taiwan's resilience through international cooperation.

Operation MIST, launched in 2024, counters French President Emmanuel Macron's 2023 statement advising Europe to avoid involvement in conflicts such as a potential China-U.S. confrontation over Taiwan. Meanwhile, Initiative 2758 seeks to counter China's interpretation of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, which it uses to justify claims over Taiwan.

Paternotte acknowledged the risks faced by his colleagues due to Chinese state-backed hacking attempts and diplomatic pressure to deter IPAC members from engaging with Taiwan. He affirmed the delegation's resolve to stand firm despite these challenges.

In his remarks, President Lai highlighted the increasing challenges to maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region, citing "gray zone" harassment and other disruptions. He referred to a recent incident where a Taiwanese academic was barred from presenting at an international conference in Kenya, calling it an example of "unreasonable" political interference.

Lai reiterated Taiwan's commitment to engaging with the international community, emphasizing that maritime governance should transcend political boundaries and that Taiwan's determination to connect with the world remains steadfast.