Taiwan president says still ready to work with China despite military drills

ANKARA

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te on Sunday said he is ready to work with Beijing, despite this week's military drills around the self-ruled island.

Lai told reporters in Teipe that he wanted Taiwan and China to "jointly shoulder the important responsibility of regional stability," CNA reported.

China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, carried out the military drills on Thursday and Friday, three days after Lai was sworn in.

"I also look forward to enhancing mutual understanding and reconciliation through exchanges and cooperation with China ... and moving towards a position of peace and common prosperity," he said.

Lai's remarks coincided with alleged detection of Chinese aircraft and vessels around Taiwan on Sunday.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry, in a statement, said seven People's Liberation Army aircraft and 18 vessels were tracked operating in the island's vicinity.

In response, Taiwan's armed forces monitored and responded to the situation accordingly, it added.

Communications between China and Taiwan were severed in 2016 after former President Tsai Ing-wen took office, pledging to defend Taiwan's sovereignty.

Lai, who comes from the same Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has vowed to maintain his predecessor's policies of building up Taiwan's defence capabilities, while remaining open to dialogue with China and strengthening relations with the island's partners - particularly the US.

China has repeatedly called Lai, who won election in January, a “separatist”.