HUALIEN, Taiwan, May 28 (Reuters) - Taiwan President Lai

Ching-te thanked fighter pilots who had scrambled against China

last week during its war games around the island, as he was

briefed on the events at a frontline air base on Tuesday.

China, which claims democratically-governed Taiwan as its

own territory, started two days of drills last Thursday in what

it called "punishment" for Lai's inauguration speech that week.

Taiwan condemned the exercises.

China says Lai is a "separatist" and has never renounced the

use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. Lai rejects

Beijing's sovereignty claims, saying only the island's people

can decide their future, and has repeatedly offered talks.

Visiting the east coast air base of Hualien, which is home

to Taiwan's most advanced fighter jets, the F-16Vs, Lai had

lunch with some of the pilots who scrambled during the drills.

"I would like to thank all brothers and sisters for sticking

to their posts and protecting national security," he added. "In

recent days in response to the Chinese military exercises,

everyone did a good job."

Lai said he received a detailed briefing on the pilots

response and the abilities of the Taiwan fighters.

"Everyone is on standby in 24-hour shifts to perform air

patrol missions," he added. "With firm determination and

excellent combat skills, you are making full use of air combat

power and protecting our airspace."

Soldiers also demonstrated the loading and firing of

howitzers for Lai.

Some hangars at the Hualien base are cut out of the side of

a mountain to protect them from air attack.

Taiwan has been converting 141 of the Lockheed Martin Corp

F-16A/B jets to the F-16V type, and has also ordered 66

of the craft with new avionics, weapons and radar systems to

better face down the Chinese air force, including its J-20

stealth fighters.

The F-16Vs can also carry Raytheon Technologies Corp's

advanced AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missiles.

Taiwan's government says that as the People's Republic of

China has never ruled the island, it has no right to claim it or

decide its future.