This Saturday, Taiwan will elect its next president. Until then, the Chinese-government propaganda organs of political warfare are in overdrive to impact the outcome. No one is spared. This is personal.
Cyberattacks are commonplace, but it goes much further. For as long as anyone can remember, the PRC has used social media, infiltration of institutions, bribery, corruption, spy craft, and every conceivable type of manipulation to cast doubt in Taiwan about whom anyone can trust. Husband is pitted against wife, friend against friend, political ally against political ally. Every string is being pulled. Such is the modus operandi of the technologically superior successor of the East German Stasi.
Despite this, the people of Taiwan have managed to have a profound impact on history. Their enduring faith in themselves, their fellow citizens, and their institutions is one of the great examples of democratic heroism in the past century. We are watching a David vs. Goliath story, a Battle of Thermopylae story of the 300 defending against seemingly hopeless odds. The oft-overlooked people of the island nation inspire with their determined stand for their ideals against the implacable regime across the Taiwan Strait.
Is it quixotic? No. Taiwan acts on its commitment to freedom every day. This weekend’s presidential election will prove once more that Taiwan earns its legitimacy through its actions. It doesn’t matter that it is a small country or if some perceive its prospects for survival to be weak. In this way, Taiwan is triumphant even if it is at odds with a power having 50 times its population and a greatly superior military force.
Americans have exhibited that type of faith in our own past. We have vanquished superior forces. We can follow Taiwan’s example in our elections, too. We need not tolerate mediocrity, let alone unfitness for office. We can take resolute action to get a government we aspire to, not one we need to settle for.
The world owes the Taiwanese people a debt of gratitude for their actions, which live up to their faith, self-confidence, and ideals, no matter the outcome on Saturday.