Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has accused China of intensifying its espionage and infiltration efforts against the island, asserting that his administration will implement various measures to counter Beijing’s attempts to “absorb” Taiwan.
Speaking to reporters after a security meeting on Thursday, Lai stated that China is actively cultivating relationships with various sectors of Taiwanese society, including organized crime groups, media personalities, and police officers. “They [China] are carrying out activities such as division, destruction, and subversion from within us,” Lai said.
He emphasized the need for stronger measures to counteract China’s efforts to undermine Taiwan’s defenses, pointing to recent incidents that fall into a “grey area” of psychological warfare, short of open armed conflict. According to government data, 64 individuals were charged with Chinese espionage last year, a threefold increase compared to 2021, with the majority being current or former military officials.
“Many are worried that our country, hard-earned freedom, democracy, and prosperity will be lost bit by bit due to these influence campaigns and manipulation,” Lai remarked.
The president proposed 17 legal and economic countermeasures, including stricter reviews of Chinese citizens’ applications to visit or reside in Taiwan and the potential reinstatement of military courts. Lai also mentioned that his government would make “necessary adjustments” to the flow of money, people, and technology across the Taiwan Strait, though he did not provide further details.
Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory, but the island’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) supports maintaining de facto independence from mainland China. Since Lai’s predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, was elected eight years ago, China has largely cut off official contact with the DPP. The two sides have been divided since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949.
### Recent Tensions
Taiwan recently expelled the Chinese wife of a Taiwanese citizen after she posted videos on social media claiming that China would conquer Taiwan in half an hour and praising Chinese leadership. Such actions are illegal under Taiwan’s laws on abetting the enemy. The woman, who also held official Chinese titles as a consultant, can reapply for residency in five years.
Other incidents have involved Taiwanese artists and influencers living in China reposting statements from Chinese state media asserting Chinese sovereignty over Taiwan. Taipei views this as part of an ongoing campaign to pressure celebrities into making pro-Beijing statements.
Lai stated that his government would issue “reminders” to Taiwanese actors and singers performing in China regarding their “statements and actions.” “We have no choice but to take more active actions,” he said.
Additionally, Lai revealed that retired Taiwanese military personnel have passed information about the island’s weapons systems to Chinese agents and attempted to recruit active service members as spies.
China frequently sends ships and planes into the airspace and waters near Taiwan, aiming to intimidate its 23 million residents and erode the morale of its armed forces.
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