China views the democratically governed island as its own and has intensified military pressure around Taiwan over the last five years. Lai's comments also come ahead of a recall parliamentary election on July 26 that could see his ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) take back control of the legislature.

Taiwan included its first batch of 38 U.S.-purchased M1A2T Abrams tanks in a live-fire exercise at Hsinchu military base on Thursday, as it launched its annual military exercises intended to guard against Chinese threats.

Taiwan's newly acquired HIMARS and Abrams tanks would raise the costs of a Chinese amphibious landing, a defense analyst says.

Twelve Chinese military aircraft and seven naval vessels were detected near Taiwan, with several aircraft crossing into its Air Defense Identification Zone, prompting a defensive response. Taiwan has launched its annual Han Kuang military drills,

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Deputy Minister of the Interior Ma Shih-yuan (馬士元) said Wednesday that an urban resilience exercise will be carried out from July 15-18.

China claims Taiwan as its own despite Taipei's objections. The United States does not recognize Taiwan's statehood but has political and economic stakes in a peaceful resolution to the decades-long dispute, and is obliged by U.S. law to help Taipei arm itself against a possible attack.

The annual 10-day Han Kuang exercise will test Taiwan’s ability to respond to a Chinese attack on its command structure.

China has imposed export controls on eight companies tied to Taiwan’s military as the self-ruled island began annual military exercises.