The president of Taiwan hinted at a growing rift with Beijing when he reportedly declared that the island would intensify its efforts to counter Chinese influence and espionage, including by reestablishing military courts to try spy cases and closely monitoring the actions of Chinese nationals.
The long-simmering conflict has become a flashpoint that may attract the United States and other countries if it were to explode due to China’s almost daily military actions around Taiwan, which are supported by so-called “gray zone” initiatives to persuade Taiwanese citizens to submit to Beijing’s rule.
Beijing, according to Lai, is using Taiwan’s democracy to foment discord, incite conflict, and destabilize the island. After meeting with top national security officials, he told reporters he will bolster efforts to thwart China’s attempts to weaken Taiwan.
A growing number of cases involving suspected Chinese espionage are being prosecuted in Taiwan.
Among other things, active and retired Taiwanese military officers are accused of plotting an armed network, gathering vital information, pledging allegiance to the Chinese armed forces, and collaborating with Chinese intelligence.
Taiwanese officials say the prosecutions are part of Beijing’s effort to integrate the island without using force, and they are also worried about China pressuring Taiwanese celebrities to advocate for unification on social media.
Requests for response on Lai’s remarks were not answered by China’s Taiwan Affairs Office.
According to political commentators, China’s military has previously responded to the president’s remarks by holding drills surrounding the island, and it may do so again in response to Thursday’s remarks.
The eve of the 20th anniversary of a Chinese anti-secession law targeting Taiwan coincided with Lai’s press conference on Thursday.
According to James Yifan Chen, an assistant professor at Tamkang University in Taiwan, the president’s comments were a preemptive step before Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s anticipated anniversary speech.
Reluctance Lai’s aggressive language was attacked by Taiwanese lawmakers, who said that it would strain relations between the two countries.
By calling China an enemy, Lai was accused of inciting violence to further an independence agenda by a spokeswoman for former president Ma Ying-jeou of the opposition Nationalist Party, also known as the Kuomintang, which supports tighter ties with Beijing.
Lai stated that he was dedicated to regional security and stability and disputed that he was raising tensions.
Lai’s proposed measures included a section on Chinese espionage. According to a recent report by Taiwan’s National Security Bureau, 64 individuals were accused in 15 Chinese espionage cases in Taiwan last year, a notable rise from 10 individuals in five instances in 2022.
[READ MORE: Greenland Voters Elect Party Opposed to U.S. Takeover]
