The two-day joint military drills carried out by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) surrounding the island of Taiwan starting from early Thursday aim to convey a message to secessionists that there is nowhere safe for them, according to a Chinese military expert.
The drills are being conducted in the Taiwan Strait, and in the north, south and east of Taiwan Island, as well as areas around the islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin.
Senior Colonel Li Xi, spokesman for the PLA Eastern Theater Command, said military services including the army, navy, air force and rocket force of the theater command are being organized to conduct the joint drills, code-named Joint Sword-2024A, from Thursday to Friday. The drills also serve as a strong punishment for the separatist acts of Taiwan secessionists and a stern warning against the interference and provocation by external forces, according to Li.
Zhang Chi, assistant professor with the PLA National Defense University, said that exercises include maritime areas close to Taiwan's eastern coast, sending a strong message to separatists on the island.
"Among these exercise areas, there are several large exercise blocks, which are basically set up around the island of Taiwan. We can see that we have set two exercise areas in the sea and air space near the eastern part of the island, mainly to block the escape of 'Taiwan independence' separatists and break through their comfort zone, because for a long time the Taiwan separatists have thought that the eastern part of Taiwan might be a relatively safe and comfortable space in which they could hide and escape," said Zhang, speaking in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV).
"Our exercise closing in on adjacent sea and air space east of Taiwan island is to tell 'Taiwan independence' separatists that no place here is safe for you. We have the ability to commence all-round attacks in in all directions," he added.
The drills focus on joint sea-air combat-readiness patrol, joint seizure of comprehensive battlefield control, and joint precision strikes on key targets. Exercises involve the patrol of vessels and planes closing in on areas around the island of Taiwan and integrated operations inside and outside the island chain to test the joint real combat capabilities of the forces under the Eastern Theater Command.
PLA drills close in on Taiwan Island's east coast to break separatists' comfort zone
Military expert explains significance of PLA drills around Taiwan Island
Military expert explains significance of PLA drills around Taiwan Island
