President Tsai Ing-wen's voice echoed resolutely across the Taiwan Strait on New Year's Day, carrying a message with profound implications not just for the island nation but for the entire Indo-Pacific region.

Her plea for "long-term peaceful coexistence" between Taiwan and China should not be taken merely as a platitude but more as an urgent call for China to respect Taiwan's fundamental right to chart its destiny.

This crucial call falling on deaf ears would not only betray the aspirations of millions of Taiwanese but also put in jeopardy the fragile international order built upon a peaceful co-existence.

For decades, Taiwan has stood as a beacon of self-determination in Asia, demonstrating remarkable economic dynamism and an unwavering commitment to human rights.

Yet, Taiwan's vibrant spirit remains shrouded in the looming shadow of China's territorial claims. Beijing's incessant intimidation, from provocative military drills to diplomatic isolation, stands as a blatant affront to the very principles of peace and cooperation that Tsai advocates.

"Decisions must be made with the common will of the Taiwanese people. What kind of relationship we will form with China in the future must be determined by our democratic procedures to make the final decision," Tsai said.

For her, any attempt to dictate Taiwan's destiny through coercion, veiled threats, or external pressure is not only antithetical to democracy but also a recipe for regional instability.

China should heed Taiwan's desire for peace, parity, democracy and dialogue as the latter seeks to engage with Beijing on the fundamental bedrock of mutual respect and peaceful co-existence.

Comments made by Chinese President Xi Jinping in his own New Year's Eve speech, asserting that Taiwan "will surely be reunified" with China, highlight the contentious nature of the cross-strait relationship.

President Tsai's response, asserting that decisions must be made through the common will of the Taiwanese people, is a clear and democratic stance.

Xi's threat to unify with Taiwan "by force, if necessary" has no place in 2024, its basis being subjugation, which is no different from Russia's invasion of tough Ukraine.

This path proposed by Tsai aligns not only with Taiwan's best interests but also with the vital needs of the entire region as war, as shown in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, is too costly a manner of resolving disputes among nations.

However, China's belligerence extends far beyond its aggressive posturing towards Taiwan. Its blatant disregard for international law and maritime sovereignty is evident in its encroachments in the West Philippine Sea and the persistent harassment of Filipino vessels.

These actions demonstrate a disturbing pattern of disregarding the rights of smaller nations and undermining what President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. described as the rules-based order that ensures regional stability.

The international community cannot afford to remain silent in the face of such warlordism by China. A peaceful and prosperous Asia hinges on Beijing embracing the values of dialogue, respecting the sovereignty of other nations, and adhering to the principles of international law.

The upcoming elections in Taiwan present a crucial test for the international community's commitment to democracy and peaceful resolution of disputes. It is a moment to stand in unwavering solidarity with the Taiwanese people as they exercise their fundamental right to self-determination.

Furthermore, strengthening alliances and collective defense mechanisms in the Indo-Pacific region is crucial to deterring Chinese aggression and ensuring regional security.

Multilateral forums must provide platforms for addressing contentious issues such as maritime disputes and cross-strait tensions through peaceful engagement and adherence to international legal frameworks.

Ultimately, the future of the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea hangs in the balance. Choosing the path of peace and respect for democratic values requires collective action.

It demands standing firm against the forces of coercion and intimidation, promoting dialogue and understanding, and fostering a regional order where all nations, regardless of size or power, can coexist peacefully and pursue their own destinies.

Taiwan's commitment to democratic values must be respected, and any attempt to impose reunification through force would not only violate international norms but also jeopardize regional stability.