Congressman John Moolenaar has been appointed as the U.S. Co-Chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), assuming a key role previously held by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Moolenaar is currently the Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. This alliance is crucial for democratic nations aiming to navigate their relationships with the Chinese Communist Party.
IPAC's key mission involves coordinating international legislative actions to address authoritarian influences and promote democratic values. Moolenaar emphasized the gravity of this role: "I am deeply honored to serve as the U.S. Co-Chair of IPAC at such a critical time in global affairs," adding that current legislative decisions will have long-term effects and that IPAC’s advocacy for democracy and global accountability is crucial.
Acknowledging Marco Rubio's previous leadership, Moolenaar said, “I am honored to take on this role following Secretary Rubio, whose leadership in co-founding IPAC and shaping its success has been truly exceptional."
Upon assuming his new position, Moolenaar expressed his concern over reports that China pressured lawmakers in Malawi and The Gambia to exit IPAC, threatening to cancel diplomatic engagements if they did not comply. He stated, “The PRC's use of coercion to dictate the domestic policies and international affiliations of sovereign nations, as seen with Malawi and The Gambia, is deeply troubling.” Moolenaar stressed the need for the international community to hold China accountable and advocated for protective measures for democratic processes.
In his role as U.S. Co-Chair, Moolenaar aims to bolster international legislative cooperation and support policies defending human rights, national sovereignty, and the rules-based international order.
