14 Jan Taiwan should give heart to liberals across the world – 1828

In the aftermath of the Taiwan elections, in which incumbent Tsai Ing-wen won a resounding victory, our Communications & Events Manager Matt Gillow argues that liberals across the world should take heart from the results.

For opinion platform 1828, Matt said:

“It’s hard to overestimate the resounding rejection of the Chinese model which the election results emphatically show. The Freedom in the World index 2019 ranks Taiwan as “free”, with robust protection of civil liberties, peaceful transfers of power after free and fair elections, and a vibrant, free economy.

With the world’s largest exporter of state control at large in politics, influencing of members of the business community and spreading pro-China disinformation campaigns, Tsai’s success should be cause for celebration for those who value human rights and freedoms.”

Matt went on to say: Britain, and others, can do more in terms of diplomacy to protect liberty the world over. The situation in Hong Kong is a damning indictment of the liberal world order, which is allowing China to walk all over a neighbour. The same mistake cannot be made with Taiwan.

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