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.

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.