Rise and shine! 🌅 Early Monday, the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) kicked off the Joint Sword-2024B military drills in the waters surrounding the island of Taiwan. 🚢✈️
Li Xi, spokesperson for the theater command, mentioned that troops from the army, navy, air force, and rocket force joined forces. Vessels and planes closed in on the island from multiple directions, showing off some serious moves! 💪
Meanwhile, the China Coast Guard (CCG) announced that four of its fleets were busy with law-enforcement patrols around the island of Taiwan. A CCG spokesperson said this was all about enforcing control over Taiwan, sticking to the one-China principle.
These drills and patrols are the Chinese mainland's way of responding to a recent speech by Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te on October 10. 🗣️ Fu Zhengnan, a military expert from the PLA Academy of Military Science, pointed out that the drills send a strong message to 'Taiwan independence' forces.
Fu said, 'If the Joint Sword-2024A exercise signaled that the PLA won't tolerate radical \"Taiwan independence\" actions, today's drills make it clear that even low-key attempts won't fly!' 🚫🛬
He highlighted the \"all-weather\" capability of this operation, making it feel like a real-deal combat scenario. The joint task force started their deterrence actions bright and early, smoothly shifting from mobilization to pressure tactics. 'This readiness lets us quickly switch from training to combat, kind of like \"a sword poised overhead or a hammer ready to strike\",' Fu explained.
The message is clear: pursuing 'Taiwan independence' is a no-go. 🚧 Fu emphasized that if provocateurs make a move, the PLA will step up its military game.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
