1/ I believe that democracy is the only feasable form of governing and the only way of making a state as such 'compatible' with citizens' basic human rights. Thus, I have great sympathies with Taiwan and its struggle against increasing aggressions from its authoritarian neighbor.

2/ Yet, in order to fight *for* democracy, you also need to pick the right thing to fight *against*.

That thing is not communism.

Now, don't get me wrong: I do not believe communism is something worth achieving, nor do I believe that it can ever be achieved.

3/ But communism simply isn't the thing that makes China dangerous as a global player. The danger it poses roots in its unparalleled ability to undermine other country's democracy itself, to influence media reporting, to brainwash its youth and totally control the masses.

4/ ...and, increasingly, its open aggression towards countries that dare to not comply with Beijing at all times, using China's cast economical leverage.

These - allow me to say - fascist methods can and could be found in any kind of authoritarian system or dictatorship.

5/ Whether it's a nationalist, communist, isolationist, or religious form of dictatorship. Thereby, the following conclusion must be: the fascist mindset itself poses a threat and is the main problem. Not the fact that a regime calls itself communist.

6/ Hence, I strongly believe we should fight China's regime on the grounds of being anti-democratic, illiberal and I'm violation of basic human rights.

Fighting it for it's alleged communism is, I strongly believe, wrong and a waste of time - and will thereby, eventually,

7/ strengthen China. Because its easier to defend yourself against strawmen than against things you're actually doing.

And now, coming back to Taiwan, I think it's imperative for its cause to not tell people to beware of communism and basically 'instruct' their allies to do the

8/ the same. I think that would weaken their position.

I know quite some people who, like me, are irritated by Taiwanese people telling them to fight communism at all costs - irritated not, again, because we like communism. But because that doesn't seems to be the main problem

9/ and seeing a communist threat where there is none is strongly reminiscent of ultra right-wing, naive and destructive rhetoric.

Long story short:
Defend democracy against the actual threat, not a phantom. Anything else will harm your cause.

10/ And to close this threat, I feel like pointing out the obvious: These are my personal thoughts on the issue. This is what I believe is right - and not what I think everybody should believe is right. I am not Taiwanese, nor have I ever lived there. I cannot fully understand

11/ how Taiwanese people feel about the issue and by no means I want to even try to dictate how they should feel and think about it.

I hope you could enjoy this threat.

12/ And here's a random picture of a Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup I recently made.