TAIPEI: Taiwan and Europe face the same threat from authoritarianism, President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday (May 8), marking 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe and warning that indulging aggressors only whets their appetite for expansion. Taiwan has faced increased military pressure from China , including war games, as Beijing seeks to assert its sovereignty claims over the democratically-governed island, and has sought joint cause with Europe from the risk it faces from Russia.