TAIPEI — Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te vowed on Thursday to defend the democratic island’s sovereignty in a New Year’s speech, after China carried out military drills. Beijing launched missiles and deployed dozens of fighter jets, navy ships and coastguard vessels this week to encircle Taiwan’s main island, in exercises condemned by Taipei “as highly provocative”. China claims democratic Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to annex it. READ: China fires missiles on second day of military drills around Taiwan “My stance has always been clear: to steadfastly defend national sovereignty, strengthen national defence and […]... Keep on reading: Taiwan's president vows to 'steadfastly defend' sovereignty