Despite the KMT’s big wins in the local elections, the presidential poll is a year away and there are doubts about the party’s forerunner candidate in a wide field that could spring spoilers. Other factors include US-China tensions, economic worries and Tsai Ing-wen’s attempts to improve cross-strait relations

Biden has repeatedly walked back commitments to defend Taiwan as attempts to build alliances against Beijing see mixed success. As China’s might grows, and Biden faces growing domestic pressures, he may have to change his foreign policy strategy.

The declining military and economic power of Europe, Japan and Russia heralds a bipolar world at risk of falling into armed conflict. Meanwhile, technological advances mean a first strike using weapons of mass destruction is likely to be the final one.

Not only is China’s success in reducing poverty without precedent, Beijing is best equipped to help reduce poverty globally – a fact that the Western media seems happy to skip over, preferring instead to criticise Beijing’s actions wherever possible.