Key Takeaways:

• Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te labels China a "foreign hostile force" amid increased espionage efforts.
• 64 people were charged with espionage in Taiwan last year, marking a threefold increase.
• 17 countermeasures are proposed against Chinese influence campaigns targeting Taiwan's society.

TAIPEI, March 13 (Reuters) - Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te has issued a stark warning against what he describes as China's deepening influence campaigns and infiltration efforts aimed at "absorbing" Taiwan. During a press briefing following a high-level security meeting, Lai emphasized the necessity for stricter measures to combat these infiltrations, which he argues threaten Taiwan's democratic integrity and societal cohesion. He stated, "They [China] are carrying out activities such as division, destruction, and subversion from within us," highlighting the pervasive nature of Chinese operations in Taiwan's political and social spheres.

According to data presented by Lai, 64 individuals were charged with spying for China in the last year, a dramatic increase from the 21 cases reported in 2021. The majority of these charges have involved current or former military officials, underscoring the seriousness with which the Taiwanese government views Chinese espionage efforts. As Lai noted, "Many are worried that our country's hard-earned freedom... will be lost bit by bit due to these influence campaigns and manipulation," indicating a significant public concern regarding national security.

The President has put forth a series of 17 countermeasures aimed at curbing Chinese attempts to undermine Taiwan's sovereignty. These measures include rigorous screenings for residency applications from Chinese nationals and the potential reinstitution of a military court system to more effectively handle cases related to espionage and infiltration. In response to recent incidents involving Taiwanese celebrities who have made pro-Beijing comments, Lai emphasized the importance of issuing guidelines to artists working in China, reinforcing the Taiwanese government’s stance on maintaining national dignity amidst external pressures.

China's Taiwan Affairs Office responded harshly to Lai's remarks, labeling his administration as a "destroyer of cross-straits peace" and warning that any moves toward formal independence would provoke significant retaliatory measures. A spokesperson stated, “Those who play with fire will surely be burned,” reiterating Beijing's firm position on its claims over Taiwan. The Taiwanese government, on the other hand, maintains that only the people of Taiwan should decide their future, firmly rejecting what they perceive as unwarranted sovereignty claims by Beijing. More details are reported by Reuters, Al Jazeera, BBC, and Channel News Asia.