China Threatens Taiwan: If The Government Plays Fire, It Will Come To Destruction

JAKARTA - Taiwan's Office of Affairs in China said China's military exercises near Taiwan were a "strict punishment" for the "sustaining promotion of separatism" carried out by Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te.

If Lai's government "dare to provoke and play with fire, it will only bring its own destruction," the office spokesman said in a statement.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te previously said China was deepening its influence and infiltration on its country. Taiwan accuses China of increasing military exercises, trade sanctions, and campaigning for influence on the island in recent years to force the island to accept China's claim of sovereignty.

Lai said Beijing used Taiwanese democracy to "absorb" various community members including organized crime groups, media figures, as well as current military and police officers and before.

"They (China) are carrying out various activities such as dividing, destroying, and overthrowing from within our country," Lai said at a press conference broadcast live from the presidential office.

When asked about Lai's statement at a regular press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said whatever Lai's administration said, "will not change the fact Taiwan is part of China and cannot change the inevitable events of reunification with the homeland."

Citing government data, Lai said 64 people were charged with Chinese espionage last year, three times more than 2021.

He said the majority of them were current military officials or former military officials.

"Many are worried that our country, freedom, democracy, and prosperity that are hard earned will disappear little by little because of this campaign for influence and manipulation," he said.

By making these efforts, Lai said China was shaping what Taiwan's Anti-Infiltration Act defined as a "hostile foreign force".

The President proposed 17 legal and economic measures, including a strict review of Taiwan's visits or residence permit applications by Chinese nationals, and proposals to resume military court work.

Lai also said his government would make "the necessary adjustments" to the flow of money, people, and technology across the strait.

In addition, he said the Taiwanese government would issue "reminders" to Taiwanese actors and singers appearing in China about their "statements and actions", in response to what Taipei sees as China's ongoing campaign to pressure pop stars into making pro-Beijing comments.

"We have no choice but to take more active action," he said.