G7 foreign ministers stepped up language on Taiwan Friday, stating their opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait by force or coercion, according to a final draft statement.

In some of his strongest rhetoric yet amid worsening cross-strait ties, Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te has labelled China a "foreign hostile force". He said Taiwan had "no choice but to take even more proactive measures" as a result,

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.