Taiwan President Lai thanks air force for ‘outstanding’ work during China war games
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Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te visiting a military base in response to recent Chinese military drills, in Taoyuan, Taiwan, on Oct 18.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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TAIPEI - Taiwan President Lai Ching-te thanked the air force on Oct 18 for its “outstanding” work during Chinese war games around the island earlier this week, telling it to keep up the good work.
China’s military said Oct 14’s day of war games was a warning to “separatist acts”, and it vowed to take further action if needed against the democratically governed island that Beijing claims as its own territory.
Visiting air force headquarters in Taipei, Mr Lai was connected by radio to what sounded like a fighter pilot, whom the President identified by the call sign “Viper One”, in a video released by the presidential office.
“Thank you for your hard work for our country. Please continue to guard the airspace of the Taiwan Strait to ensure national security, and have a safe and smooth flight,” he said, before adding in English: “Happy landing.”
In subsequent comments made to personnel inside air force command, Mr Lai praised their performance.
“We were all on full alert during these Chinese exercises and did our best. The performance was outstanding. Thank you very much and please keep up the good work in our duty to protect and defend our country.”
Taiwan’s air force, which is dwarfed by that of China, has repeatedly scrambled to see off almost-daily missions by the Chinese military around the island.
During Oct 14’s drills, Taiwan said it had detected 153 Chinese aircraft, the highest figure for a single day.
Mr Lai and his government reject Beijing’s sovereignty claims. Mr Lai has offered talks many times with China, but been rebuffed. REUTERS
