Taiwanese human rights worker Lee Ming-che, who was imprisoned in China for five years, is on a speaking tour of Europe, using his time behind bars as the basis for a conversation with the international community — a reminder to democracies concerned about China's cross-border pressure.

• Lee visited Berlin and Brussels this month, recounting his personal experience of being sentenced to five years in prison by China for subversion of state power.
• He stressed that Taiwan is not seeking sympathy, but sharing its experience of resisting authoritarian pressure with Europe.
• He noted that China does not even abide by its own laws, making it hard for the international community to believe it will honour international commitments.
• He warned that new Chinese laws extend jurisdiction beyond China's borders: even if a foreign national speaks lawfully in Germany, China may deem it illegal, and may also pressure that person's family members in China.
• He cautioned that young Taiwanese face risks in travelling to China, where they may be placed under surveillance after entry, and that visiting in person is not the only way to understand Chinese society.

Outlook: China's cross-border pressure will only become more visible in the near term, and Europe's tug-of-war between human rights and its trade and economic interests with China will continue.