SpaceWar.com reports: “Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te thanked troops on Tuesday after China held military exercises around the self-ruled island, as he urged them to help make it ‘safer’.

Three days after Lai was sworn into office, warships and fighter jets encircled Taiwan in drills China said were a test of its ability to seize the island it claims as part of its territory.

Lai vowed in his inaugural speech to defend Taiwan’s democracy and freedom, which Beijing said amounted to a ‘confession of independence’.

Speaking during a visit to an air force base in eastern Hualien on Tuesday, Lai toasted the troops for their hard work ‘in response to China’s military exercises’ — his first direct reference to the war games on Thursday and Friday.

‘Let’s work together and continue to work hard to make our country safer,’ he said.

‘Everyone is on standby 24 hours a day to perform air patrol missions… All brothers and sisters use their firm determination and outstanding combat skills to demonstrate their air combat capabilities and protect our airspace,’ he added…”