Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the occupation of uninhabited islands and shoals it claims in the disputed South China Sea, asserting Philippine sovereignty in his latest change of tack.
Studies of democracy and peace show there have been very few armed conflicts between democratic states. Once China is democratized, there will thus be real hope for lasting peace. The US should support Taiwan's efforts toward constitutional reform, which will attract China's people to call for democracy and lead to world peace. Democracies everywhere should support Taiwan as a beacon for democracy in Asia, lighting the way to permanent peace for China.