Taiwan president warns of China s infiltration effort vows counter measures

TAIPEI - Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on March 13 that China has deepened its influence campaigns and infiltration against the democratic island, pledging measures to tackle Beijing’s efforts to “absorb” Taiwan.

Taiwan has accused China of stepping up military drills, trade sanctions and influence campaigns against the island in recent years to force the island to accept Chinese sovereignty claims.

Speaking to reporters after holding a meeting with senior security officials, Mr Lai said Beijing had used Taiwan’s democracy to “absorb” various members of society, including organised crime groups, media personalities, and current and former military and police officers.

“They (China) are carrying out activities such as division, destruction, and subversion from within us,” Mr Lai told a press briefing broadcast live from the presidential office.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

When asked about Mr Lai’s comments at a regular press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that no matter what Mr Lai’s administration said, “it will not change the fact that Taiwan is part of China nor can it change the inevitable event of the reunification with the motherland”.

Citing government data, Mr Lai said 64 people were charged with Chinese espionage last year, three times more than in 2021. He said the majority of them were current or former military officials.

“Many are worried that our country, hard-earned freedom and democracy and prosperity will be lost bit by bit due to these influence campaigns and manipulation,” he said.

By making these efforts, Mr Lai said China constituted what Taiwan’s Anti-Infiltration Act defined as “foreign hostile forces”.

The president proposed 17 legal and economic countermeasures, including the strict review of Taiwan visits or residency applications by Chinese citizens, and proposals to resume the work of the military court.