Drills pose intensified pressure on Taiwan separatists: expert

The "Joint Sword-2024B" joint military drills by the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Monday sent a direct and strong response to Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te's recent Taiwan separatism remarks, which pose three specific provocations, said military expert Zhang Chi.

"The first provocation is against the post-World War II international order. In 1943, China, the United States, and the UK signed the Cairo Declaration, confirmed Taiwan and the Penghu Islands' return to China. In 1945, the same three countries signed the Potsdam Proclamation, with the Soviet Union later joining, reinforcing the commitment to implement the Cairo Declaration. These two declarations form a crucial part of the post-war international order. Therefore, 'Taiwan independence' is a challenge to this order," said Zhang, an associate professor at the National Defense University of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

The second provocation is directed against the authority of the United Nations, said Zhang. The UN Resolution 2758, passed in 1971, recognized the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate government representing China, he said.

"The third provocation threatens the peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Lai's provocative remarks may appear mild but is deeply deceptive and harmful. It aggressively promotes separatism, inciting hostility and confrontation across the Strait, significantly escalating tensions and laying the groundwork for conflict, thus destructs peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," Zhang added.

The expert explained that the drills were divided and carried out in six different areas -- two in the Taiwan Strait, two east of the Taiwan island, and one each to the north and south of the island.

"Drills north of the island directly targeted the key figures advocating 'Taiwan independence', sending a warning to Lai's administration. Exercises to the south the island aimed to strike at the heart of Taiwan independence forces. Those in the eastern air and sea zones were intended to block three critical routes: the lifeline for energy imports, external support line for separatists, and escape lines for those attempting to evade punishment," said the expert.

"Conducting drills in the Taiwan Strait shows our intensifying pressure from all directions to Taiwan separatists. Compared with previous drills, the scope of this drill was broader and the operational range closer, achieving new breakthroughs. Especially, this time our Coast Guard vessels conducted patrols around the island, strengthening maritime control," said Zhang.

Drills pose intensified pressure on Taiwan separatists: expert

A growing number of seniors who are retired and energetic choose to travel and live in different places with a "migratory bird" lifestyle, injecting new momentum into the silver economy in China.

In a country so vast like China, the climate varies drastically from place to place, prompting many health-conscious retirees to move regularly to cooler places in the summer, and to warmer places in the winter.

Ms. Li, who is from northeast China's Jilin Province, fell in love with Xishuangbanna in southwest China's Yunnan Province, a place without winter, after her first visit in 2021.

Since then, she has come to Xishuangbanna to "spend the winter" and returns to northeast China in April to "spend the summer" every year.

"The good air quality makes me feel comfortable here. It's suitable for the elderly to live in for retirement. This is a place with abundant plants and the food price here is affordable," said Ms. Li.

Compared with traditional tourism, the pace of sojourn is slower and the duration longer, allowing people to enjoy a more relaxed and comfortable life.

From January to October this year, the number of tourists to Yunnan has surpassed one billion, with the average length of stay per tourist increasing from 2.8 days to 3 days.

"The good water quality, air, and the environment here make me want to stay even more, and I just can't bear to leave," said Xia Quan, another sojourner.

"We will provide different types of food based on where the people come from. For those coming from the north, we'll offer wheaten food. As for activities, we have places like game room and table tennis room for the elderly to enjoy their leisure time," said Yang Hongwei, an innkeeper.

Official data shows that China was home to 297 million people aged 60 and above by the end of 2023, accounting for 21.1 percent of the country's total population.

As a new generation of healthy, vigorous and richer Chinese adults enter retirement age, the number of old-age "migratory birds" is expected to keep growing in the following years.

Chinese retirees embrace "migratory bird" lifestyle, driving silver economy