China is stepping up its campaign of influence and penetration in Taiwan. Taipei will take measures to counter Beijing's attempts to absorb the island, according to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te. Ching-te accused Beijing of intensifying: ・military exercises ・trade sanctions;

By Yimou Lee TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday China has deepened its influence campaigns and infiltration against the democratic island, pledging measures to tackle Beijing's efforts to "absorb" Taiwan.

Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te says tougher measures are needed to counter stepped-up Chinese infiltration, spying and other efforts to weaken the island’s defenses.

China will exert utmost efforts to realise "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan, but will take all necessary steps to safeguard China's territorial integrity, its foreign ministry said on Monday. China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory despite the objection of the government in Taipei.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday China has deepened its influence campaign and infiltration against the democratic island, adding his government will propose various measures to counter Beijing efforts to "absorb" Taiwan.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said the government will work to let military tribunals operate in peacetime and announced a tightening of rules governing exchanges with China, underscoring growing concerns about Beijing’s operations on the island and in its armed forces.