Trump was right to take Taiwan’s call

Sir — Though not a fan of US President-elect Donald Trump, I am intrigued by the howls of indignation from his country’s political establishment in response to his taking a call from the president of Taiwan.

How dreadful that he spoke to the leader of a state that America severed diplomatic relations with 37 years ago.

I think it is entirely fitting that the leaders of the free world should be on good terms with the one part of China where free and democratic elections are held. President Tsai Ing-wen was chosen by the people of Taiwan. The regime in Beijing has no democratic mandate. It rules by terror and suppresses any hint of dissent. People are imprisoned for opposing the dictatorship, including members and supporters of religious groups who espouse peaceful alternatives to the system.

The dictatorship has bullied many nations into keeping their distance from Taiwan, but not as hideously as it has bullied the people of Tibet, a country China invaded and annexed in 1950.

Tibet’s national identity was destroyed, along with much of its mysterious ancient culture.

Far from avoiding contact with Taiwan, I hope the new US administration will rally to the aid of that fragile democracy and the long-suffering people of occupied Tibet. John Fitzgerald, Callan, Co Kilkenny