• Taiwan's envoy claims that Taiwan and India are on the front lines of the spread of authoritarianism.

    International
    Taiwan's envoy claims that Taiwan and India are on the front lines of the spread of authoritarianism.




     



    Digital Desk: Taiwan and India both lie on the frontlines of authoritarian
    growth, according to de-facto ambassador Baushuan Ger of Taipei, and China's
    current focus on the Taiwan Strait doesn't imply it will lessen its attention
    to the Indian Ocean.



     



    If China's willful disrespect for democratic ideals and flagrant
    violation of international law go unchecked, other free and law-abiding nations
    will suffer in the long run, Ger warned in an exclusive interview.



     



    Since Speaker Newt
    Gingrich travelled to Taiwan in 1997, Speaker Pelosi is the first US House
    Speaker to make a foreign trip in the past 25 years. This not only highlights
    the US Congress' strong support for Taiwan-US relations but also reiterates the
    US's staunch commitment to Taiwan.



     



    Taiwan and its people
    have shown Speaker Pelosi unwavering support and gratitude for her historic
    visit, which has helped to demonstrate to the rest of the world that Taiwan is
    an actual member of the world community of democracies. Additionally, the visit
    is significant in that it aids Taiwan in regaining much-needed confidence as it
    works hard to broaden and deepen its interaction with other nations who share
    its values.



     



    During her visit to
    Taiwan, Speaker Pelosi stated, "The world faces a choice between democracy
    and authoritarianism. The United States' commitment to upholding democracy both
    here in Taiwan and throughout the world is unwavering.



     



    Democracy "dies
    in darkness," as the Washington Post's tagline puts it. Without a doubt,
    democracy only survives and grows in the open. Given China's ongoing use of
    economic pressure and military intimidation against Taiwan, other free and
    law-abiding nations will eventually suffer alongside Taiwan if fellow
    democratic nations choose to remain silent about China's flagrant disregard for
    democratic principles and violations of international law.



     



    Some analysts may believe that China's focus on the Taiwan
    Strait and the South China Sea will cause it to pay less attention to the
    Indian Ocean, allowing India to feel secure in maintaining the temporary peace
    with China. I must disagree. Consider the year 2020, the year of the Galwan
    Valley conflict on the Indo-China border. China was neither more nor less
    concerned about its eastern frontier at that time.