United News of Bangladesh

Taiwan's president, William Lai Ching-te, stated on Thursday that stricter measures are necessary to combat China's increasing infiltration, espionage, and other efforts to undermine Taiwan’s security and hasten Beijing's ambition to seize control of the self-governing island republic, a key ally of the U.S. Lai pointed to several recent incidents involving China that fall into a “gray area,” including psychological warfare that stops short of direct military conflict. He explained that Beijing’s attempts to “subvert, steal secrets, lure military personnel, and manipulate public opinion to erode trust in our national defense” require Taiwan to enhance its legal protections to prevent and identify such activities. Lai outlined proposed actions to counter China’s influence, such as reintroducing military tribunals for crimes like espionage and making it harder for individuals from China and the Chinese territories of Hong Kong and Macau to acquire Taiwanese identification. This is complicated by the high rate of intermarriage between Taiwanese and Chinese. China says US has 'gravely backpedaled' on Taiwan Taiwan will also restrict contact with individuals linked to China’s Communist Party’s United Front department, which aims to use cultural exchanges and personnel to promote Beijing's unification agenda. This decision followed an incident last year in which a student in a delegation backed by a pro-unification Taiwanese group used disparaging language about Taiwan, causing public outrage, though no legal action was taken. Lai's Democratic Progressive Party supports Taiwan's de facto independence from Beijing. Since Lai’s predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, took office eight years ago, China has largely cut off official communication with the DPP. China frequently sends ships and planes into Taiwan's airspace and waters to intimidate its 23 million citizens and weaken Taiwan’s military and morale. Taiwan’s government recently expelled the Chinese wife of a Taiwanese man after she posted videos on Chinese social media claiming that China could conquer Taiwan in half an hour and praising the Chinese leadership. These actions violate Taiwan’s laws on aiding the enemy. The woman, who also held Chinese government roles, will be allowed to reapply for residency in five years. Other recent cases include Taiwanese influencers and artists in China sharing Chinese state media statements affirming China's sovereignty over Taiwan. Retired Taiwanese military personnel have also provided information about Taiwan’s weapons systems to Chinese agents and attempted to recruit active-duty soldiers as spies. The Defense Ministry confirmed a recent case where a retired air force major, claiming to work for a U.S. think tank, convinced an air force intercept controller to provide classified documents in exchange for money. The retired major, surnamed Shih, sent the files to his Chinese handlers for around $45,000, sharing $6,000 of it with the active-duty officer, surnamed Hsu. The leaked information pertained to Taiwan’s domestically developed Hsiung Feng III anti-ship missiles and Taiwan’s response to Chinese incursions into its air defense identification zone. The two sides have been separated since the 1949 civil war, with China continuing to view Taiwan as its territory to be reclaimed by force if needed. Lai’s remarks coincided with the 20th anniversary of China’s Anti-Succession Act, which sets out conditions for an invasion, including if Taiwan declares formal independence or refuses unification indefinitely. Taiwan maintains that it is already functionally independent, a stance supported by most of the population, and does not see the need for a formal declaration of independence. Thousands in Taiwan and China celebrate the Lantern Festival with high hopes and rice dumplings To strengthen its defenses, Taiwan has been bolstering its military with new missiles, U.S. tanks and planes, and domestically produced submarines. The country has also recently extended mandatory national military service for all men from four months to one year.

Taiwan’s president set off on Saturday for a South Pacific tour that includes a two-day visit to the U.S., his first since taking office. However, details about his itinerary remain limited. The planned stops in Hawaii and Guam have already sparked strong objections from Beijing, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes official interactions between Taiwan and the U.S., the island’s primary supporter and military ally, reports AP. China bracing for fresh tensions with Trump over trade, tech and Taiwan President Lai Ching-te will embark on a week-long journey to meet leaders from the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau—three of Taiwan’s diplomatic partners in the Pacific, it said. “Through the values of democracy, peace, and prosperity, I aim to expand our cooperation with allies, deepen partnerships, and show the world that Taiwan is not only a model of democracy but a vital force promoting global peace, stability, and development,” Lai stated at Taoyuan International Airport before his departure. Taiwan maintains strong informal ties with many nations, but only 12 have official diplomatic relationships with the self-governed island. Recent times have seen increased pressure from China on Taiwan’s status, added the report. It remains uncertain whether Lai will meet any officials from the incoming U.S. administration during his visit. President-elect Donald Trump, in a July interview with Bloomberg, stated that Taiwan should contribute to its own defence, despite the island purchasing billions of dollars’ worth of U.S. military equipment. Trump also avoided directly answering whether he would defend Taiwan against Chinese military action. Under the Taiwan Relations Act, the U.S. is obligated to assist Taiwan in self-defence. However, it has kept its policy of strategic ambiguity about intervening if China were to invade Taiwan, the report also said. A second Trump administration is anticipated to strain U.S.-China relations even more than the first term, which included tariffs on over $360 billion of Chinese goods. Taiwan remains a significant flashpoint between the two nations. On Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning urged the U.S. to handle Taiwan-related matters with “utmost caution” and reiterated Beijing’s opposition to Taiwan’s independence, advocating for China’s peaceful reunification. Mao also emphasised China’s firm opposition to any U.S.-Taiwan official interactions, including visits by Taiwanese leaders to the U.S, said the report. Former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen faced strong criticism from China when she stopped in the U.S. last year en route to Latin America, where she met then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The Chinese military also conducted drills around Taiwan last year, described as a “stern warning” against what it termed “separatists and foreign forces,” shortly after Lai, then vice president, transited through the U.S. China strongly opposes visits by prominent American figures to Taiwan, viewing any official engagement as a challenge to its sovereignty claims over the island.