Taiwan vice-president says ‘don’t be afraid’ to fight authoritarianism in New York speech

William Lai issues global appeal during US stopover after China denounces him as a troublemaker'

Taiwan's vice-president has urged the world to stand up against the increased threat from authoritarianism" and reiterated a willingness to talk to China, in a speech made in New York during a brief US stopover condemned by Beijing.

William Lai, a frontrunner to be Taiwan's next president at elections in January, said in New York on Sunday: If Taiwan is safe, the world is safe, if the Taiwan Strait is peaceful, then the world is peaceful," according to a read out from Taiwan's presidential office.