The OSCE has fifty-seven member States with more than a billion people in North America, Europe and Asia. In 1990, OSCE participating States pledged to hold free and fair elections (and to invite foreign observers to observe its elections).
Taiwan is not a member of the OSCE and is an unlikely democracy. First a little history. In the 17th century the islands – Taiwan is by far the largest but there are 167 others – were controlled by the Dutch East India Company, the Spanish and then the Chinese Qing dynasty, that ruled Taiwan until 1895. At this juncture Japan defeated the Chinese and gave the Chinese population two years to move to the Chinese mainland, should they so choose; only about 5,000 took up this offer. Japanese rule lasted until 1945 during which time there were rebellions and civil war.
When Japan surrendered in 1945, Taiwan again came under Chinese rule. However, as you know, the end of the war marked the resumption of civil war in China. Since 1912 China had been known as the Republic of China but in 1949 the ROC army and supporters fled to Taiwan where they imposed their rule. (Mainland China became known as the People’s Republic of China (PRC).) The ROC endured martial law under General Chiang Kai-Shek’s repressive, paranoid and corrupt dictatorship that lasted until 1987. The US was supportive of ROC rule then, as now, as it has been of so many other distasteful regimes perceived to be anti Communist.
Since 1987 Taiwan has taken a bumpy but ultimately successful journey to democracy. Although 84% of the population are descended from Chinese immigrants in the period of Chinese rule, 1683 – 1895, the islanders have now forged an identity as Taiwanese, the majority rejecting the PRC’s claim to sovereignty. This was affirmed in the presidential election held yesterday.
Taiwan has transitioned from poverty and oppression to wealth and freedom. Humphrey Hawksley, in his 2009 book, Democracy Kills, posits the conditions under which democracy can be established and thrive. It is a different path to that taken by the PRC. China has absorbed Hong Kong (and Macou) into its authoritarian system and would like to do the same with such a close neighbour as Taiwan.
US foreign policy is ambiguous.
“As a leading democracy and a technological powerhouse, Taiwan is a key U.S. partner in the Indo-Pacific. Though the United States does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, we have a robust unofficial relationship. The United States and Taiwan share similar values, deep commercial and economic links, and strong people-to-people ties, which form the bedrock of our friendship and serve as the impetus for expanding U.S. engagement with Taiwan.” (US Department of State)
The US strongly discourages any attempt by China to take Taiwan by force, providing substantial military aid to Taiwan. Perhaps the war in Ukraine will give China pause for thought. At the same time the US vigorously opposes any formal declaration of independence by Taiwan. “ Diplomacy and defence are not substitutes for one another. Either alone would fail.” (John F Kennedy)