Taiwan's President warns of China's authoritarianism

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te has issued a stark warning regarding China's increasing authoritarianism, asserting that it poses a significant challenge not only to Taiwan but also on a global scale. Speaking at the annual Ketagalan Forum, which focuses on Indo-Pacific security issues, Lai emphasized that China's aggressive tactics extend beyond Taiwan, affecting other nations as well. The forum was attended by representatives from key countries, including the U.S., India, Japan, Australia, and Canada. Lai's remarks come amid heightened military activity by China in the South China Sea, where he accused Beijing of attempting to alter the rules-based international order. He called for democratic nations to unite and take decisive action against these threats. His comments were underscored by recent Chinese maritime operations in the Taiwan Straits, which the Ministry of Transport described as efforts to enhance traffic management and emergency response capabilities. Tensions have also escalated between China and the Philippines in the Spratly Islands, with recent incidents involving vessel collisions near the disputed Sabina Shoal. Lai condemned these actions as intimidation tactics aimed at undermining regional peace and stability. The backdrop of these tensions includes China's dismissal of Taiwan's recent elections, claiming that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party does not reflect the will of the Taiwanese people, as Beijing continues to assert its claim over the self-governing island.