Taiwan President Warns of China's Authoritarianism

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has warned that China's 'growing authoritarianism' poses a threat beyond Taiwan, urging democratic nations to unite against its expansion during the Ketagalan Forum in Taipei. He highlighted that China aims to reshape the international order and is applying economic pressures on multiple countries, not just Taiwan. Lai criticized China's military maneuvers, including joint exercises with Russia, as efforts to intimidate neighboring nations and disrupt regional stability. He asserted Taiwan's commitment to maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait despite ongoing threats and emphasized the need for collective action among democracies. Lai, labeled a 'dangerous separatist' by China, has expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue, although such attempts have stalled since 2016. The president also underscored the global implications of China's authoritarianism, drawing connections to conflicts in other regions and calling for resilience against its influence.