China's growing authoritarianism: Taiwan urges global response

At the Ketagalan Forum, dedicated to security in the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te expressed concern over China's growing authoritarianism. He emphasised that Beijing's threat would not be limited to the island and called on "democratic countries" to unite to counter China's expansion.

- We are all fully aware that China's growing authoritarianism will not stop at Taiwan, nor is Taiwan the only target of China's economic pressure - said Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te during a speech at the annual forum involving politicians and scholars from 11 countries.

The communist government in Beijing maintains that Taiwan, despite having a democratically elected administration, armed forces, and its own currency, is a "rebellious" Chinese province, and refers to President Lai as a "dangerous separatist".

Beijing also does not rule out the use of force to take control of the island. Shi Taifeng, head of the United Front Work Department of the CCP, stated on Tuesday in Hong Kong that China is now "more confident and capable of unification" than ever before.

In response to these remarks, Lai assessed that "China intends to alter the rules-based international order". As such, he called on "democratic countries" to unite and take concrete actions to curb the spread of authoritarianism.

- Taiwan will not be intimidated - declared Lai, emphasising the island's commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait region.

The President of Taiwan added that the rise of "military expansionism" by China is also evident elsewhere, pointing to joint manoeuvres of the Chinese army with Russia in the South China Sea, the western Pacific, and the Sea of Japan.