Taipei and Washington say there is no justification for China launching additional military drills as “punishment” after Taiwan’s National Day celebrations.

Taiwan’s new president Lai Ching-te pledged on Thursday to “resist annexation” in the face of growing military and economic pressure from Beijing to assert its territorial claims over the East Asian democracy.

TAIPEI - Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te vowed on Oct 10 to “resist annexation”, as China exerts growing military and political pressure on the self-ruled island it claims as part of its territory. China has not ruled out using force to bring the democratic island under its control, which Mr Lai and his government oppose.