Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said Thursday the island is determined to defend its sovereignty and boost its defense in the face of China's increasing expansion, after Beijing held large-scale military drills. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/01/01/asia-pacific/politics/taiwan-lai-ching-te-china-military-drill/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #politics #china #pla #taiwan #laichingte #us #xijinping