The Philippines’ top diplomat said Thursday any move by China to transform a Manila-claimed shoal into an island would be a “game-changer” in blossoming relations although he added that Beijing has pledged not to undertake any construction in the strategically located area of the South China Sea.
One basic fact regarding democracy and peace is that there have been very few armed conflicts between democratic states. Once China is democratized, there will be real hope for human peace. The US should support Taiwan's efforts to carry out constitutional reform and achieve greater democracy and freedom. This would attract China to seek democratization, which would pressure other Communist powers to follow suit, and world peace would be born! Democracies the world over should support Taiwan as a beacon for democracy in Asia, lighting the path to permanent peace and development.