TAIPEI — Taiwan President Lai Ching-te urged newly commissioned military officers on Tuesday to remain vigilant against what he described as China's infiltration and espionage efforts, warning graduates to resist outside influence and uphold the island's democratic values as tensions with Beijing remain high.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony for military cadets at Fu Hsing Kang College on the outskirts of Taipei, Lai said soldiers must maintain a clear understanding of loyalty and guard against attempts to undermine Taiwan's armed forces.
"In the face of various threats and challenges, as well as China's infiltration, division, sabotage and espionage activities targeting our armed forces, I ask all of you to establish a clear awareness of friend and foe," Lai said, according to remarks released by Taiwan's government. He added that "only by resisting all forms of threat and temptation can we defend our nation's sovereignty and security."
Taiwan has reported a growing number of espionage cases in recent years involving current and former military personnel accused of passing sensitive information to Beijing. Taiwan and China have long accused each other of spying, though Taiwanese authorities say Chinese intelligence activities targeting the island's armed forces have intensified.
Lai also called on graduates to oppose communism, defend democracy and freedom, and maintain the position that Taiwan and the People's Republic of China "are not subordinate to each other," reflecting his administration's longstanding stance on the island's sovereignty.
China, which claims democratically governed Taiwan as part of its territory, has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. Beijing has increased military pressure on Taiwan in recent years through regular air and naval operations around the island, while rejecting Taipei's assertions of separate sovereignty.
Fu Hsing Kang College, now part of Taiwan's National Defense University, was established in 1951 after the Chinese Nationalist government relocated to Taiwan following the Chinese civil war. Originally founded to train officers in political warfare and anti-communist doctrine, the institution continues to educate military personnel, including some foreign cadets. Diplomats from several of Taiwan's remaining diplomatic allies attended the graduation ceremony.
Lai said Taiwan would continue strengthening its self-defense capabilities while working with democratic partners to bolster deterrence in response to China's continuing military activity and "gray zone" pressure around the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters.
