April 1, 2025

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command on Tuesday started joint exercises around Taiwan island. Military experts noted that the drills are clearly targeted, and aimed directly at the Lai Ching-te authorities and "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. They said that the operation is a legitimate and necessary measure to firmly safeguard China's national sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

In the drills, the theater command organized its army, navy, air and rocket forces to close in on Taiwan island from multiple directions, said Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the theater command.

According to Shi, these drills mainly focus on sea-air combat-readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, assault on maritime and ground targets, and blockade of key areas and sea lanes to test the joint operation capabilities of the troops.

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