China Drills

Taiwan vows to defend its sovereignty and strengthen its defenses as pressure from China intensifies, President Lai Ching te said Thursday, days after Beijing fired dozens of rockets toward the island during large scale military drills.

Speaking in a New Year address broadcast from the presidential office in Taipei, Lai said the exercises underscored the growing threat facing Taiwan and the need for sustained investment in national defense.

“The international community is watching whether the Taiwanese people have the determination to defend themselves,” Lai said, adding that his position as president was unchanged. “My stance has always been clear: to …