The Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China began joint military exercises around the island of Taiwan at 7:45 this Thursday, according to Beijing time.
The exercises were taking place in the Taiwan Strait, to the north, south and east of the island, as well as in areas around the islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin.
Li Xi, spokesman for the theater command, said the military services, including the army, navy, air force and rocket force of the theater command, are being organized to conduct the joint exercises, codenamed Joint Sword. -2024A, from Thursday to Friday.
The exercises focus on sea-air combat readiness patrolling, joint comprehensive battlefield control capture and joint precision strikes on key targets, Li explained.
He added that the exercises involve patrolling with ships and aircraft near the areas around the island of Taiwan and integrated operations inside and outside the island chain to test the joint real combat capabilities of the command’s forces.
The spokesman commented that the exercises also serve as a strong punishment for the separatist actions of the “Taiwan independence” forces.
They are also, as he explained, a stern warning against interference and provocation by external forces.
“It is completely legitimate and necessary for the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to conduct joint military exercises around the island of Taiwan, safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, vigorously punish the forces “Taiwan independence” separatists for seeking “independence”, and seriously warn against interference and provocation by external forces, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin stressed at a daily press conference.
He stated that all this also constitutes a serious warning against interference and provocation by external forces.
Military services, including the Army, Navy, Air Force and theater rocket command force, are being organized to conduct the joint exercises, codenamed Joint Sword-2024A, from Thursday to Friday.
He also highlighted that the exercises fully comply with international law and practice.
Wang recalled that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory.
“All separatist acts of Taiwan independence will be hit head-on by the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people, and all separatist forces will be hit hard by the historical trend of complete reunification of China,” he added.
He also fired a shot at elevation: “We urge the US side to stop emboldening and supporting Taiwan independence forces and stop interfering in Chinese internal affairs. Any act that endangers national sovereignty and integrity China’s territory will be resolutely and vigorously counterattacked by China.”
