Daily Mail
Date: 8 September 2020
By: AFP

Taiwan's president called Tuesday for democratic countries to combat China's regional expansionism, saying the alliance would safeguard "freedom… human rights and democracy".

Although Tsai Ing-wen did not mention China by name, there was no mistaking who she was referring to in a speech Tuesday to an Asia-Pacific security forum in Taipei.

She said Taiwan — which China regards as its own territory and has vowed to one day seize — was at the forefront of "defending democracy from authoritarian aggression".

Tsai regards Taiwan as a de facto sovereign nation, but has resisted any formal declaration of independence — a move Beijing has long warned could spark a war.    [FULL  STORY]