The United States opens its second Summit for Democracy on Tuesday where it will be seeking a united front against authoritarianism in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war and China launching the diplomatic offensive.

US President Joe Biden had taken the office with a pledge to champion democracy and made a good start in the first year with the inaugural summit which was aimed at reaffirming the leadership of the country after the democratic norms were eroded by his predecessor Donald Trump with the attack on the Capitol.

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This year, considering the concerns about too much US navel-gazing in the first edition, Biden has brought in co-hosts on each continent - the presidents of South Korea, Zambia and Costa Rica and the prime minister of The Netherlands.

In total, 121 leaders have been invited by Biden for the three-day summit, which will mostly be held virtually.

The summit is taking place as threats to democracy evolve "from what was seen as an important issue, albeit sort of a slow-moving threat, to one that is now both important and extremely urgent," stated Marti Flacks, director of human rights initiative at Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

WATCH | Will Russia-US respect 'new start treaty'?

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The session will bring together representatives of civil society for discussions on various challenges to democracy which include surveillance technology, which has been seen as a growing threat by the United States as China continues to make rapid advances in technology.

"In the absence of pending congressional action in that space, it is important that the administration is engaging bilaterally with other countries and also with companies on voluntary actions that can be taken in the interim," Flacks added.

The summit will start on Tuesday with a virtual conversation on the issue of peace which will feature Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The United States opens its second Summit for Democracy on Tuesday where it will be seeking a united front against authoritarianism in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war and China launching the diplomatic offensive.

The United States opens its second Summit for Democracy on Tuesday where it will be seeking a united front against authoritarianism in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war and China launching the diplomatic offensive. US President Joe Biden had taken the office with a pledge to champion democracy and made a good start in the first year with the inaugural summit which was aimed at reaffirming the leadership of the country after the democratic norms were eroded by his predecessor Donald Trump with the attack on the Capitol. ALSO READ | Mississippi braces for more storms after being routed by devastating tornado This year, considering the concerns about too much US navel-gazing in the first edition, Biden has brought in co-hosts on each continent - the presidents of South Korea, Zambia and Costa Rica and the prime minister of The Netherlands. In total, 121 leaders have been invited by Biden for the three-day summit, which will mostly be held virtually. The summit is taking place as threats to democracy evolve "from what was seen as an important issue, albeit sort of a slow-moving threat, to one that is now both important and extremely urgent," stated Marti Flacks, director of human rights initiative at Centre for Strategic and International Studies. WATCH | Will Russia-US respect 'new start treaty'? The session will bring together representatives of civil society for discussions on various challenges to democracy which include surveillance technology, which has been seen as a growing threat by the United States as China continues to make rapid advances in technology. "In the absence of pending congressional action in that space, it is important that the administration is engaging bilaterally with other countries and also with companies on voluntary actions that can be taken in the interim," Flacks added. The summit will start on Tuesday with a virtual conversation on the issue of peace which will feature Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US looks for united front in second Summit for Democracy

While US House speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan during her Asia-Pacific&nbsp;visit remains uncertain, Chinese President Xi Jinping has upped the ante. Addressing the United Work Front Department on Saturday, Xi urged the Communist Party and its members to encourage and cultivate 'patriotic forces' as well as supporters in Taiwan, Hong Kong and other overseas states where China wants to assert its dominance.

Snippets of the speech released by the Chinese state media showed that Xi batted on the front foot and explicitly asked his party workers to expand China's strength.

"We must strengthen the building of overseas patriotic forces, cultivate and expand the strength of those who know China and are willing to befriend China, and promote exchanges and mutual learning of Chinese and foreign cultures and civilisations,” said Xi.&nbsp;

The Chinese President further heaped praise on his United Front army and illustrated its importance.&nbsp;

<blockquote>
"The United Front is becoming more important in safeguarding [China’s] national sovereignty, security and development interests.&nbsp;In building an all-round modern socialist country and realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the role of the United Front … is even more important.”
</blockquote>

In the past, the United Front has been described by&nbsp;Xi Jinping as his secret 'magic weapon'. The operations of most of the members in the United Front are covert and spread beyond the middle kingdom. This year marks the 100th anniversary of China's United Front.&nbsp;

Why is Xi taking such an aggressive stance?

As reported extensively by WION, last week, Xi&nbsp;spoke&nbsp;to US President Joe Biden and in clear and concise terms made it clear that Taiwan was an integral part of China.&nbsp;

Soon, the White House toed Xi's line by releasing a statement,&nbsp;"On Taiwan, President Biden underscored that the United States policy has not changed and that the United States strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."

Read More:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/those-who-play-with-fire-will-perish-by-it-xi-jinping-warns-joe-biden-on-taiwan-501562">&nbsp;'Those who play with fire will perish by it': Xi Jinping warns Joe Biden over Taiwan</a>

Moreover, Nancy Pelosi released an official statement where her trip to Taiwan was unconfirmed. Pelosi's office&nbsp;said: "The trip will focus on mutual security, economic partnership and democratic governance in the Indo-Pacific region" without mentioning Taiwan.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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While US House speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan during her Asia-Pacific visit remains uncertain, Chinese President Xi Jinping has upped the ante. Addressing the United Work Front Department on Saturday, Xi urged the Communist Party and its members to encourage and cultivate 'patriotic forces' as well as supporters in Taiwan, Hong Kong and other overseas states where China wants to assert its dominance.

While US House speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan during her Asia-Pacific visit remains uncertain, Chinese President Xi Jinping has upped the ante. Addressing the United Work Front Department on Saturday, Xi urged the Communist Party and its members to encourage and cultivate 'patriotic forces' as well as supporters in Taiwan, Hong Kong and other overseas states where China wants to assert its dominance. Snippets of the speech released by the Chinese state media showed that Xi batted on the front foot and explicitly asked his party workers to expand China's strength. "We must strengthen the building of overseas patriotic forces, cultivate and expand the strength of those who know China and are willing to befriend China, and promote exchanges and mutual learning of Chinese and foreign cultures and civilisations,” said Xi. The Chinese President further heaped praise on his United Front army and illustrated its importance. "The United Front is becoming more important in safeguarding [China’s] national sovereignty, security and development interests. In building an all-round modern socialist country and realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, the role of the United Front … is even more important.” In the past, the United Front has been described by Xi Jinping as his secret 'magic weapon'. The operations of most of the members in the United Front are covert and spread beyond the middle kingdom. This year marks the 100th anniversary of China's United Front. Why is Xi taking such an aggressive stance? As reported extensively by WION, last week, Xi spoke to US President Joe Biden and in clear and concise terms made it clear that Taiwan was an integral part of China. Soon, the White House toed Xi's line by releasing a statement, "On Taiwan, President Biden underscored that the United States policy has not changed and that the United States strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait." Read More: 'Those who play with fire will perish by it': Xi Jinping warns Joe Biden over Taiwan Moreover, Nancy Pelosi released an official statement where her trip to Taiwan was unconfirmed. Pelosi's office said: "The trip will focus on mutual security, economic partnership and democratic governance in the Indo-Pacific region" without mentioning Taiwan. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Xi urges his United Front army to step up operations in Taiwan, Hong Kong, other countries

United Front Department, a secretive arm of the C.C.P has time & again been called Xi Jinping's 'magic weapon'. At home, this body helps Beijing keep track of dissidents & minorities. Across the world, it is influencing minds through Confucius institutes.

Gravitas: United Front | Xi Jinping's 'magic weapon'

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