A group of lawmakers from multiple democracies is warning that China's crackdown on dissent beyond its own borders is getting worse, and is pushing democratic governments to engage more openly with Taiwan — a move that is good for Taiwan's international standing and a direct challenge to Beijing.

• The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) says Chinese interference and transnational repression targeting democracies is spreading and needs a firmer response.
• The group is calling on democratic governments to formally engage with Taiwan's officials, along with dissidents, human rights defenders, and exile communities targeted by Beijing.
• It cites research from Safeguard Defenders showing China is exporting surveillance and community-monitoring networks worldwide, which intimidates overseas Chinese communities and undermines other countries' sovereignty.
• Taiwan's foreign ministry welcomed the statement and said it will keep deepening cooperation with like-minded countries to fight this kind of repression.

Outlook: Expect Taiwan to keep leaning on international partners and rights groups to build diplomatic pressure against China's overseas surveillance and intimidation tactics.