President-elect Donald Trump's short conversation with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan has provoked the usual bluster and threats from the Chinese communist regime and the accusations from western 'democracies' and media that he is a loose cannon with no idea of diplomacy and that he threatens ties with China.

Breath of fresh air

Whether it was a calculated move by Trump or not, it sends a message to the communist regime that the status quo of the United States 'appeasing' the totalitarian regime may be under review.
The Chinese communists have claimed that Taiwan is Chinese territory and say they will use force if necessary to 're-unite' the countries.

The United States has not recognised Taiwan diplomatically since 1979, preferring to kowtow to a totalitarian communist state for economic reasons. In other words, the U.S. has ignored its own commitment to freedom and democracy, by not recognising a free and democratic Taiwan diplomatically, whilst continuing to sell arms to the beleaguered nation.

Hypocracy

This hypocracy by the U.S. and other western so-called democracies has to change.
The Chinese regime's disregard for the human rights and freedom of expression of its own citizens is well documented, including the murder of 'prisoners of conscience' to harvest and sell their organs.

How much longer can the west continue to kowtow to this brutal regime and turn a blind eye to its crimes against humanity so as to have access to the lucrative Chinese market. Democracies have fought two world wars for the principles of freedom - have those who lost their lives died in vain when their governments pay 'lip-service' only to these ideals?

Why don't Taiwanese want to be part of the huge Chinese economy?

Why does the communist regime have to threaten to invade Taiwan and take over by use of force? The Taiwanese people have tasted freedom and democracy - they do not want to be controlled by a corrupt totalitarian state that will tell them how to think, speak and act without any recourse to the Rule of Law or the ballot box.

They want their country to be recognised diplomatically and for their president to be able to speak to any world leader she likes, without threats from the communists.

Taiwanese may be more open to some compromise with a China that has multiple party elections and freedom of speech, but the communist regime continues to control with an iron fist.

What now for the U.S.-China relationship?

President-elect Trump's conversation with President Tsai sends a message to the communist regime that he will decide which world leaders he converses with, and that their bullying diplomatic protests will be ignored.

This message may also signal that the U.S. will take a firmer line in other provocative issues such as disputed island building and territorial incursions in the South China Sea.

Hopefully, this may be a trigger for the U.S. and other western democratic countries to review their treatment of Taiwan and their wavering commitments to democracy and human rights.