TAIPEI -- When a scuffle at a diplomatic party became the latest flashpoint for Beijing to assert its sovereignty over Taiwan, the island used the ugly incident to stand up for its democratic values and highlight the pettiness of China's aggression.
Island has become adept at deflecting diplomatic aggression from Beijing

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's administration is using cat diplomacy to counter China's "wolf warriors." (Nikkei montage/Getty Images and Ken Kobayashi)
TAIPEI -- When a scuffle at a diplomatic party became the latest flashpoint for Beijing to assert its sovereignty over Taiwan, the island used the ugly incident to stand up for its democratic values and highlight the pettiness of China's aggression.