Lai rallies troops as China stirs

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te offered his support and encouragement to the armed forces yesterday ahead of what the government has warned could be a new round of Chinese military exercises near the island from as early as next week.

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Taiwan cannot rule out that China will hold more military drills to “stir up trouble” around Tuesday's one-year anniversary of Mr Lai taking office, a senior government spokesperson said on Thursday in Taipei.

China calls Mr Lai a “separatist” and has rebuffed his multiple offers for talks. Mr Lai rejects China's sovereignty claims over the democratic and entirely separately governed island, saying only Taiwan's people can decide their future.