Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te watched live-fire drills with U.S.-made Abrams M1A2T tanks Thursday, as part of major annual exercises aimed at boosting the island's ability to fend off threats from China.

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.

Taiwan has commenced its largest-ever military drills, simulating attacks on command systems in anticipation of a potential Chinese invasion. The Han Kuang exercises assess Taiwan's combat readiness,