Taiwan Labels China as a 'Foreign Hostile Force' and Promises Strong Response

In a statement most trenchant in an inebriated state, Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te referred to China as a "foreign hostile force" in much the same sense. In his words, Taiwan had "no choice but to take more proactive measures" in reaction to this and revealed several national security initiatives, including a new military court system and stricter residency laws for people coming from China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

In response to Lai's remarks, Chinese authorities branded him as a "destroyer of cross-straits peace," a "creator of crisis," and so on. While China considers Taiwan a part of its territory, Taiwan sees itself as separate from the Chinese mainland.

Again, swift was the reaction from China to Lai's declaration. Chen Binhua, spokesperson for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, thundered that should "Taiwan independence" separatist forces ever dare step over the red line, it "would be repeated again with decisive measures." "Those who play with fire will surely be burned."

This is not the first time Lai, whose Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is considered pro-independence, has drawn Beijing's ire. Ahead of the elections, he was previously branded a "troublemaker," and Chinese state media even suggested he should be prosecuted for secession.

Speaking to reporters after a high-level national security meeting on Thursday, Lai also issued a warning about China's increasing espionage activities.

President Lai stated this about the exploitation of Taiwan: "We are already exploited, through freedoms by China, in recruiting current and former military personnel, organized crime groups, and the media, with the goal of dividing, destroying, and subverting us from within."

Lai said that last year, the authorities in Taiwan had charged 64 people of being spies for China; this was three times higher than the figures of 2021, the majority being either current or former military officers.

In an effort to counter China's infiltration and spying efforts at the military, Lai has proposed to reinstate the military court system where military judges would go to the front line to adjudicate criminal cases involving active personnel.

Taipanit abolished the military court system in 2013 because it was scorned for not being transparent in the handling of the death of an army conscript.

Lai also urged authorities to "provide entertainers conduct guidelines while working in China" to prevent Beijing from manipulating and coercing these stars into actions that threaten national dignity.

These statements came on the heels of previous actions by Taiwanese authorities denouncing some local celebrities for posting on their social media that Taiwan should be "returned" to China.

It is also adding pressure on Taiwanese actors and singers who want to enter the thin yet lucrative Chinese entertainment market into adopting a pro-Beijing posture on the subject in public.