The imposition of a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong has sent chills through Taiwan, deepening fears that Beijing will focus next on seizing the democratic self-ruled island.
China and Taiwan split in 1949 after nationalist forces lost a civil war to Mao Zedong's communists, fleeing to the island which Beijing has since vowed to seize one day, by force if necessary.
"The law makes me dislike China even more," 18-year-old student Sylvia Chang told AFP, walking through National Taiwan University in Taipei.
"They had promised 50 years unchanged for Hong Kong but they are getting all the more heavy-handed... I am worried Hong Kong today could be Taiwan tomorrow."
Taiwan needs a sense of urgency in preparing to defend their island democracy from the mainland brutes who will snuff out their little bright light of freedom in Asia if China thinks they stand a chance of success--or fear the consequences of not trying, of course:
If large-scale unrest--common enough in China--takes place and appears to threaten party control--could China initiate a war abroad believing nationalism will smother the internal fissures?
China could easily believe a quick sharp blow against our forces will discourage us from continuing the fight, and the national joy of defeating America would end domestic unrest at little cost to China.
Taiwan needs to spend a lot more to defend their freedom with such a hostile and relentless power so close.
Heck, the rest of the world needs to get whacked. You really think the Chinese Communist Party has no more territorial ambitions after Taiwan?
What part of "everything under Heaven" is unclear?
