Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te emphasized on Thursday the necessity for stronger measures to combat the increasing infiltration and espionage activities by China. This statement followed a meeting with top security officials, during which Lai accused Beijing of attempting to absorb Taiwan and undermine its sovereignty.
Lai highlighted that China is engaging in domestic sabotage, subversion, and division, quoting from his live broadcast address at the presidential office. He expressed concern over influence campaigns and manipulation possibly eroding Taiwan’s hard-won freedom, democracy, and prosperity.
Taipei claims Beijing’s intensifying pressure, including military exercises near the Taiwan Strait, trade embargoes, and societal influence campaigns, as attempts to force Taiwan into accepting China’s sovereignty claims. Beijing regards Taiwan as part of its territory, declining to acknowledge its sovereignty, and has hinted at using force for "reunification."
Lai pointed out various incidents constituting a "grey area" of psychological warfare and coercion falling short of open aggression. He called for bolstering legal protections to prevent and identify Beijing’s attempts at subversion, espionage, luring military personnel, and influencing public sentiment.
The Taiwanese government is considering stricter scrutiny of Chinese visitors and residents, reinstituting military tribunals, and controlling the flow of money, technology, and individuals across the Strait as countermeasures. In response to pressure campaigns on Taiwanese celebrities to support Beijing’s stance, Lai advised caution from artists performing in China.
Lai warned of a compulsion to take more decisive actions. The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, Mao Ning, dismissed Lai’s remarks, asserting that they won’t alter the fact of Taiwan’s integral part of China or the impending reunification with the mainland.
Edited by: Kieran Burke
