Voice of America News reports: “Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday that China has deepened its influence campaigns and infiltration against the democratic island, pledging measures to tackle Beijing’s efforts to ‘absorb’ Taiwan.

Taiwan has accused China of stepping up military drills, trade sanctions and influence campaigns against the island in recent years to force the island to accept Chinese sovereignty claims.

Speaking to reporters after holding a meeting with senior security officials, Lai said Beijing had used Taiwan’s democracy to ‘absorb’ various members of society, including organized crime groups, media personalities, and current and former military and police officers.

‘They (China) are carrying out activities such as division, destruction, and subversion from within us,’ Lai told a news briefing broadcast live from the presidential office.

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Citing government data, Lai said 64 people were charged for Chinese espionage last year, three times more than in 2021. He said the majority of them were current or former military officials…”