ISLAMABAD: The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army has conducted military training in the waters and airspace to the north and southwest of the Taiwan Strait, China Global Television Network (CGTN) said on Monday.
CGTN reported that the exercises involved coordinated operations by destroyers, frigates, fighter jets, bombers and unmanned aerial vehicles, supported by long-range rocket fire. The drills focused on searching for and neutralizing sea and air targets, simulated strikes on ground objectives, and live-fire exercises against maritime targets.
According to CGTN, the training aims to test the PLA troops’ integrated joint operations capability and their ability to seize battlefield dominance.
Earlier, a military spokesman said that Beijing would send army, navy, air force and rocket force troops for "major military drills" code-named "Justice Mission 2025."
The activities will focus on "sea-air combat readiness patrol, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, blockade on key ports and areas, as well as all-dimensional deterrence outside the island chain", said Senior Colonel Shi Yi of the People's Liberation Army's Eastern Theater Command.
Chinese authorities also published a map of five large zones around Taiwan where further live-fire activities would take place from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm (0000 to 1000 GMT) on Tuesday.
"For the sake of safety, any irrelevant vessel or aircraft is advised not to enter the afore-mentioned waters and airspace," the statement said.
'Stern warning'
The drills are "a stern warning against 'Taiwan Independence' separatist forces, and... a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity," Shi said.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported that a core theme of the exercises was a "blockade" on key Taiwanese ports including Keelung in the north and Kaohsiung in the south.
China's military last held large-scale drills involving live firing around Taiwan in April.
China said this month it would take "resolute and forceful measures" to safeguard its territory after Taiwan said the United States had approved a major $11 billion arms sale.
Last month, Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi triggered a backlash from Beijing when she said the use of force against Taiwan could warrant a military response from Tokyo.
China demanded that she retract her statement, summoned Tokyo's ambassador, and warned its citizens against travelling to Japan.
With input from AFP.
