China intensifies campaign of influence on Taiwan, Taipei prepares countermeasures
Photo: Lai Ching-te, President of Taiwan (Getty Images)
China is stepping up its campaign of influence and penetration in Taiwan. Taipei will take measures to counter Beijing's attempts to absorb the island, according to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te.
Ching-te accused Beijing of intensifying:
- military exercises
- trade sanctions;
- influence campaigns on the island.
Speaking to reporters, the Taiwanese president noted that Beijing is using Taiwan's democracy to absorb various members of society, organized crime groups, media representatives, as well as current and former law enforcement and military personnel.
“They (China) are carrying out activities such as division, destruction, and subversion from within us,” the Taiwanese president said.
Commenting on Ching-te's statement, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning said that “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.”
Also referring to government data, the Taiwanese president said that last year 64 people were accused of Chinese espionage, which is three times more than in 2021. According to him, most of them are current or former military officers.
Tsingde proposed 17 legal as well as economic countermeasures, which include strict consideration of applications for Chinese citizens to visit Taiwan or obtain residence permits, as well as the reopening of a military court.
Relations between China and Taiwan
Relations between China and Taiwan have been tense for decades. China considers Taiwan to be its province and seeks its reunification, not excluding the use of force.
The international community is divided on this issue: most countries, including the UN, officially recognize the one China policy, but many support Taiwan informally.
In October, Chinese leader Xi Jinping declared Taiwan the inviolable territory of China and announced his intention to reunite the island with the communist dictatorship of the PRC.
