Former President Says Taiwan’s Democracy a Vital Frontline Against Authoritarianism

Taiwan is on the frontline of assault by authoritarian countries, but its 23 million people stand firm in defending their democratic values and identity, former Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen told a conference in Prague on Monday. “For more than half a century, Taiwan has faced constant intimidation from the Chinese communist regime, which has tried in every possible way to annex Taiwan, and those threats only intensified as Taiwan became an integral part of the international community,” Tsai said at Forum 2000. Her speech was delivered against the backdrop of China’s large-scale war games near the island. The defense ministry in Taipei detected 125 Chinese fighter jets, 17 Chinese naval vessels, and 17 Chinese coast guard ships in the areas near Taiwan on Monday....