The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command on Tuesday started a new round of multi-subject military drills in waters to the north, south and east of the Taiwan Island.
The theater command organized its vessel and aircraft formations, in coordination with conventional missile troops and long-range rocket launching systems, to conduct drills of air interception, assault on maritime targets, strikes on ground objects, and joint blockade and control, according to the theater command.
These drills were aimed at testing the participating troops' capabilities of carrying out integrated operations, seizure of operational control, and multi-directional precision strikes, the theater command added.
The participating troops under the PLA Eastern Theater Command pledged their unwavering commitment and combat readiness to safeguard national sovereignty.
"As soldiers of the People's Liberation Army, we remain combat-ready at all times and stand fully prepared to head into battle. We are determined to resolutely strike separatist forces and will give our all to achieve complete reunification of the motherland, bringing Taiwan back home as soon as possible," said Ding Yaohui, a soldier with an army brigade of the command.
A naval lieutenant commander aboard the guided-missile frigate Yiyang warned the separatist forces against misjudging the situation.
"The compatriots in Taiwan are part of the Chinese nation. You should take pride in your Chinese identity. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of China brook no violation or separation. Taiwan's status as part of China's territory has never changed and will never be allowed to change. The PLA will spare no cost to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Any forces attempting to resist reunification by force will find themselves on a dead-end road," he said.
"The path of 'Taiwan independence' leads nowhere, and relying on external forces is futile. We remain on high alert, conducting real-combat drills with combat-ready troops and actual combat scenarios. If separatist forces persist in their reckless attempts and refuse to come to their senses, we will take all necessary measures and spare no efforts to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity," said Peng Wenqiang, another naval lieutenant commander aboard the frigate.
PLA Eastern Theater Command starts military drills in waters to north, south, east of Taiwan Island
