Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Friday that China has stepped up efforts to infiltrate and gain influence in the self-ruled and democratic island, and asked national security agencies to counter the campaign. Tsai, speaking to reporters after a national security meeting, said China’s influence operations included attempts to interfere with elections and fake news campaigns. Taiwan holds presidential elections next January.
She did not give details of specific incidents but said Taiwan’s national security agencies would be finding ways to tackle China’s moves. Tsai also said Taiwan would deter military aggression in the Taiwan Strait, vowing to boost defence capabilities, including upgrading military equipment and a recently launched programme to build submarines. “The Chinese Communist Party continues to demonstrate provocative actions in the Taiwan Strait, destroying the status quo across the Taiwan Strait,” Tsai said.
