Tony Abbott tells Taiwan president democracies must ‘stand shoulder to shoulder’ against China

Former prime minister meets Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei and suggests Australia has previously overemphasised fostering democracy' in China

The former Australian prime minister Tony Abbott has told the president of Taiwan he hopes his visit to the democratically ruled island will help end its isolation from the international community.

Abbott met Tsai Ing-wen at the presidential office in Taipei on Thursday. He said China's recent incursions into Taiwan's air defence zone made it even more important that fellow democracies stand shoulder to shoulder with you".