Congressman John Moolenaar has been appointed the new U.S. Co-Chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), succeeding Secretary of State Marco Rubio. IPAC is a group consisting of legislators from democratic nations, focused on reforming global relations with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Moolenaar expressed his commitment to his new role, stating, “The decisions made by legislatures today will define the future for generations to come, and IPAC’s role in advocating for democracy and global accountability is more important than ever.” He highlighted the challenges posed by the CCP in undermining democratic institutions and global policies.
Acknowledging his predecessor, Moolenaar commended Secretary Rubio: “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.”
On his first day, Moolenaar addressed reports of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) attempting to pressure lawmakers in Malawi and The Gambia to withdraw from IPAC, by threatening to cancel official engagements. He described such actions as “deeply troubling,” saying they undermine free association and national autonomy. Moolenaar emphasized the need for the international community to hold the PRC accountable.
In his new capacity, Moolenaar will focus on enhancing international cooperation to advocate for human rights, sovereignty, and upholding a rules-based international order.
