Statement of the CALD Chairperson on China’s sanctions against CALD and its officials.

Today, we learned that China, as announced by the Taiwan Affairs Office, has imposed sanctions on the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) and its officials for violating the ‘One China’ principle, advocating for Taiwan’s independence, and expanding Taiwan’s international space.

While we consider the sanctions as unfortunate, the Council stands by its programs and activities that aim to advance democracy, human rights and the rule of law for all people of Asia. We remain committed to promote the basic values of liberal democracy as stated in our Charter, and to not cower in the face of authoritarianism or from those who threaten our freedoms.