The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) continued its joint military drills surrounding the island of Taiwan on Friday.
The drills, code-named Joint Sword-2024A, started on Thursday.
The drills are being conducted in the Taiwan Strait, the north, south and east of the Taiwan Island, as well as in areas around the islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin.
During the drills, an army unit of the Eastern Theater Command quickly mobilized personnel and equipment for an emergency deployment. In rain, the officers and soldiers rapidly deployed their combat vehicles, loaded ammunition, and headed for the battlefield. They arrived at the pre-designated locations on schedule.
"As a new combat force of the army, our rocket artillery is capable of making long-range, precise, and devastating strikes against combat targets in any area and at any time. As long as the Party Central Committee, the Central Military Commission and President Xi give an order, we are ready for battles at any time and will resolutely clear all 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces," said Jiang Xiaodong, an officer of a brigade of the army of the Eastern Theater Command.
In the waters surrounding the Taiwan Island, the Chinese naval formation approached the "enemies" in a fast and covert way, and conducted mock strikes against maritime targets under the command of the joint operation command center of the theater.
"In today's exercises, based on the complex background of actual combat and with the support of the theater command's joint operation system, we organized a joint ship-aircraft anti-submarine operation, and occupation and control of key areas in the southwestern waters off the Taiwan Island. We established long-distance network and link with naval and air forces in the east of the Taiwan Island, where we shared target information and enhanced tactical coordination to jointly strike critical targets, and occupy and control crucial areas. We quickly handled all emergencies throughout the entire process. All these have effectively tested and improved the troop's ability to fulfill tasks," said He Cheng, an officer of a frigate detachment of the navy of the Eastern Theater Command.
Meanwhile, the air force of the Eastern Theater Command continued its patrols around the Taiwan Island and the surrounding islands. Multiple groups of fighters loaded with live ammunition quickly arrived at the target area. Bombers, under the cover of the fighters formation, headed to the island chain and conducted mock strikes on key targets from multiple positions in waters off the east coast of the Taiwan Island.
The refueling aircraft replenished multiple batches of fighters to support the actions of naval and air forces.
"Under the support of the joint system, we quickly completed the tactical air formation and interaction inside and outside of the island chain, built a coordinated chain of the fire and information system, seized advantage first and accurately hit the targets, which further honed our real-combat capabilities such as coordination, situational awareness and emergency decision-making," said Zhao Jie, an officer of an aviation brigade of the air force of the Eastern Theater Command.
Amidst the rain, a rocket force brigade secured their positions, getting ready for firing.
Li Dawei, an officer of a brigade of the rocket army of the Eastern Theater Command, said the officers and soldiers geared up with high morale and carried out multiple waves of mock strike drills.
He said they are ready to act upon orders, resolutely accomplish various tasks, and thwart any form of "Taiwan independence" attempts.
PLA Eastern Theater Command continues joint military drills around Taiwan Island
PLA Eastern Theater Command continues joint military drills around Taiwan Island
