Keep out of China's clutches, Taiwan's president tells military cadets

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te warned military cadets on Tuesday not to succumb to China's spying activities and to defend freedom and democracy, speaking at a Cold War-era college originally set up to teach against the perils of communism.



Taiwan and China, which views the democratically governed island as its own territory, have long spied on each other, and Taiwan in particular has reported an increased number of Chinese espionage cases, especially in the armed forces.



China has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control, and its military operates daily around the island.



A soldier's honour stems from loyalty, Lai told a graduation ceremony at the Fu Hsing Kang College on the outskirts of Taipei.



"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," he said.



"Only by resisting all forms of threat and temptation can we defend our nation's sovereignty and security."