‘Welcome to Facebook’:

Tens of thousands of posts apparently from China have flooded Taiwan presidential election front runner Tsai Ing-wen’s Facebook account, demanding that the island return to China — and her response on Wednesday was to welcome mainland interest in democracy.

The surge in posts, nearing 70,000 by Wednesday, is all the more astonishing because Facebook is generally blocked in Communist Party-ruled China, although there are ways of getting around firewalls.

“I hope this rare new experience can let the ‘new friend’ see a more complete democracy, freedom and pluralism of Taiwan,” Tsai posted to contributors “from across the Strait”, the narrow strip of water separating China and Taiwan. “Welcome to the world of Facebook!”

China deems proudly democratic Taiwan a breakaway province to be taken back, by force if necessary, particularly if it makes moves towards formal independence. (RTRS)

Tsai