One sweltering morning last month in Taipei, Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te spoke before a sea of supporters in matching white baseball caps and a regiment of solemn soldiers. It was Taiwan’s first National Day, he noted to applause, in which the island had spent more days as a democracy than under authoritarian rule. “We firmly believe that strength is not obtained through military strength alone,” the president proclaimed. “But must also rely on resilience throughout society.