By Ben Blanchard

TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan’s message to the international community is that it is determined to defend itself and that people should not believe any claim it has surrendered in the event of invasion, President Lai Ching-te said on Saturday, capping a week of defence events.

Democratically-governed Taiwan has faced stepped up military pressure from China, which views the island as its own territory. Taiwan’s government rejects those claims, saying only the island’s people can decide their future.

Addressing a forum on Taiwan’s efforts to boost its preparations for natural disaster or war, Lai referenced the government’s new civil defence handbook, which was launched on Tuesday as part of efforts to get people ready for a possible Chinese attack.

The handbook gives vital i

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