Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te on Thursday called for a tougher response to Beijing, describing China as an “foreign hostile force” intent on “absorbing” the democratic island — the toughest rhetoric yet toward Beijing from a Taiwanese leader.
“[China is] carrying out activities such as division, destruction, and subversion from within us,” Lai said in remarks that were broadcast live from the presidential office following a press briefing with senior security officials.
“China’s acts are the definition of a foreign hostile force under our Anti-Infiltration Act. We have no choice but to take more active measures,” he said.
Lai’s comments mark the first time a Taiwanese leader has characterized China as a “foreign adversary.”
When asked whether his statement could escalate tensions across the Taiwan Strait, Lai responded by pointing to Beijing’s ongoing pressure campaign against Taiwan, Channel News Asia said in a report.
“The political and military intimidation, United Front tactics, and infiltration operations launched by China against Taiwan” had already met the definition of a foreign adversary, the report quoted Lai as saying.
“Taiwan is never the one that escalates tensions,” he claimed, adding that the island remains committed to the security and stability of the Asian region.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning dismissed Lai’s comments during a regular press briefing, reiterating Beijing’s stance that “Taiwan is part of China” and that “there is no so-called president in Taiwan.”
But the official China Daily quoted Chen Binhua, the spokesperson for Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, denouncing Lai as a “destroyer of cross-Strait peace.”
He added that “if the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces dare to cross the red line, the mainland will have to take resolute measures.‘”
Chen did not elaborate on what would constitute “crossing the red line” or what measures Beijing would take in response.
Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
This content originally appeared on Radio Free Asia and was authored by RFA Mandarin.