PLA conducts major drill near Taiwan
Interservice exercise a stern warning against separatists, external forces
Meng Xiangqing, a professor at PLA National Defense University, said that, based on the exercise map released by the PLA Eastern Theater Command, Monday's drill areas were closer to Taiwan than the 2022 encirclement drills conducted after then US House speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the island. "The encirclement chain has been tightened, closer and closer, and it underscores the features of full coverage, no blind spots, and an integrated blockade-and-strike approach," he said.
The layout of the five drill areas this time was basically positioned along the island's lifelines, Meng said, adding that two areas were located north of the island and close to the waters off the island's Keelung Port, effectively forming a blockade of the important port.
The professor said that two other areas were located to the south, close to the waters off Kaohsiung, which he said would amount to cutting off the island's largest sea routes and creating a "shut-the-door-and-hit-the-dog" scenario against military bases key to Taiwan's regional forces.
On Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a daily news briefing that the PLA exercise was "a severe punishment for Taiwan separatists … and a necessary action to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity". Lin said that the Democratic Progressive Party authorities stubbornly adhere to the "Taiwan independence" stance, attempt to seek "independence" by leaning on the US, and are turning Taiwan into a "powder keg" and "arsenal".
Chen Binhua, spokesman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, also said on Monday that the Lai Ching-te authorities keep pursuing "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and courting foreign powers "without principle", adding that such actions betray Taiwan's interests.
"They sacrifice Taiwan's economic development and people's well-being to rush down the dangerous path of colluding with external forces for 'independence', provoking tensions and indulging in reckless militarism. This severely undermines cross-Strait relations, threatens peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and harms the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation and the vital interests of Taiwan compatriots," he said.
Jiang Chenglong and Li Shangyi contributed to this story.
Contact the writer at zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn
