During the Cold War, Taiwan was governed by a military dictatorship that masqueraded as ¡°Free China¡± to shore up its anti-communist credentials and crucial American support.
Under the presidency of Tsai Ing-wen, a now-democratic Taiwan has re-imagined the old formula: ¡°China¡± is downplayed given rising Taiwanese nationalism and antipathy towards the neighboring communist juggernaut, while the island¡¯s liberalism is trumpeted alongside its prowess in semiconductor fabrication.
As the leader of the free world, the United States has pride of place in Tsai¡¯s foreign policy for strategic reasons.
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