Taiwan vows to defend sovereignty after China's military drill

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said on Thursday (January 1) the island is determined to defend its sovereignty and boost its defence in the face of China's increasing expansion, after Beijing fired rockets towards the island as part of military drills.

The international community is watching to see whether the Taiwanese people possess the resolve to defend themselves, Lai said in a New Year's speech broadcast live from the presidential office in Taipei.

"Whether China can achieve its goals on schedule is one thing," Lai said when asked about a U.S. report saying China was preparing to have the capability to win a fight for Taiwan by 2027. "The coming year, 2026, will be a crucial one for Taiwan," he said, adding Taiwan must "make plans for the worst, but hope for the best."

China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, and it has not ruled out using force to take it under Chinese control. Taiwan rejects China's claims.

Lai's speech came just two days after the Chinese exercises named "Justice Mission 2025." China fired dozens of rockets towards Taiwan and deployed a large number of warships and aircraft near the island in a show of force that drew concern from Western allies including the European Commission and Britain.

-Fabian Hamacher/Reuters