TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) accused China on Thursday of using law enforcement activities as a cover for expansion.
Speaking at the eighth meeting of the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee, Lai said China has intensified gray-zone harassment and coercion against neighboring countries in recent years, per CNA. He said the committee earlier conducted a tabletop exercise focused on gray-zone threats and high-intensity maritime coercion.
Lai said China’s recent activities in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait have gone beyond routine law enforcement or surveys. Instead, he said, Beijing is using such activities as a pretext to expand its influence and undermine regional security.
The president pointed to last week’s G7 leaders’ summit statement, which reaffirmed support for a free and open Indo-Pacific, per UDN. He said China’s actions demonstrate that Beijing, rather than Taiwan, is responsible for raising tensions in the region.
Taiwan’s efforts to strengthen its self-defense capabilities and protect its democratic way of life should not be viewed as provocative, Lai said. He also thanked Army and Coast Guard personnel for responding to China's activities and protecting national security.
