Taiwan’s president described Beijing as a ‘foreign adversary’ that is exploiting democracy to sow division, create unrest and destabilize the island.

Taipei: Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te said Thursday tougher measures are needed to counter stepped-up Chinese infiltration, spying and other efforts to weaken the island’s defences. Lai cited a range of recent incidents involving China that fall into a “gray area” of psychological warfare short of open armed conflict.

Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te said Thursday tougher measures are needed to counter stepped-up Chinese infiltration, spying and other efforts to weaken the island’s defenses and speed Beijing’s goal of taking control of the self-governing island republic,