Taiwan calls China 'foreign hostile force' and vows tough measures

Amidst the continued deterioration of cross-strait relations, Taiwan's leader, Lai Ching-te, delivered strongly worded remarks, referring to mainland China as a "foreign hostile force." This statement has further escalated cross-strait tensions, drawing widespread attention. The situation requires careful management to prevent further escalation.

Lai Ching-te stated that in the face of mainland China's threats, Taiwan has "no choice but to take more proactive measures." He announced a series of new national security measures, including the restoration of the military court system and tighter scrutiny of residency qualifications for residents from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. These measures are intended to strengthen Taiwan's security and defense capabilities. Such initiatives underscore the importance of national security in Taiwan's current political climate.

In response to Lai Ching-te's remarks, mainland China's officialdom swiftly responded, criticizing him as a "saboteur of cross-strait peace" and a "crisis creator." The mainland side reiterated that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, stated that if "Taiwan independence" separatist forces dare to cross the red line, the mainland side will have "no choice but to take decisive measures." He warned, "Those who play with fire will perish by it." The warning highlights the firm stance of mainland China on the Taiwan issue.

Lai Ching-te's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is regarded as having "Taiwan independence" leanings, and he himself has been repeatedly criticized by Beijing. Previously, he was labeled a "troublemaker" before the election, and mainland Chinese state media even hinted that he should be prosecuted for the crime of splitting the country. Lai Ching-te told reporters after a high-level national security meeting on Thursday that mainland China is intensifying its espionage activities. The increased espionage activity is a serious concern for Taiwan's national security.

Lai Ching-te pointed out that mainland China is "exploiting Taiwan's freedom" by recruiting people from all walks of life, including active and retired military personnel, organized crime groups, and media figures, in an attempt to "split, undermine, and subvert us from within." He claimed that Taiwanese authorities accused 64 people of engaging in espionage for mainland China last year, a threefold increase from 2021, with the majority being active or retired military officers. These accusations underscore the complex security challenges Taiwan faces.

To counter mainland China's attempts to infiltrate and monitor the military, Lai Ching-te stated that he plans to restore the military court system so that "military judges can return to the front lines... to handle criminal cases involving active military personnel." Taiwan abolished the military court system in 2013, after it was criticized for its lack of transparency in handling the death of an army conscript. The restoration of the military court system signifies a shift in Taiwan's approach to military justice.

Lai Ching-te also called on authorities to "provide a code of conduct for artists working in mainland China," saying it would prevent mainland China from forcing celebrities to engage in behavior that "harms national dignity." Previously, Taiwanese authorities criticized some Taiwanese artists for making statements on social media calling for Taiwan to "return" to mainland China. Taiwanese actors and singers hoping to develop careers in mainland China's lucrative entertainment industry face increasing pressure to publicly take pro-Beijing stances. This pressure highlights the complex relationship between politics and the entertainment industry.