TAIPEI: China has reacted more robustly to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's rhetoric defending the island's sovereignty than his predecessor's, with fiery threats and war games analysts say will likely intensify. Since Lai succeeded Tsai Ing-wen in May, China has staged two large-scale military drills around the island – most recently on Monday (Oct 14) – and verbally attacked the new leader at every turn over his speeches and comments. Beijing calls Lai a "separatist" and has accused him of