The Chinese People\u2019s Liberation Army (PLA) has launched joint military exercises encircling the Taiwan region, calling the drills a \u201cresolute punishment\u201d for secessionist provocations by Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te. Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command, confirmed the drills began Tuesday, involving coordinated maneuvers by air, naval, rocket, and army forces.
Spokesperson Warns Against Separatism
Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Chinese mainland\u2019s Taiwan Affairs Office, accused Lai of escalating cross-strait tensions by promoting Taiwan secessionist rhetoric and framing the Chinese mainland as a \u201chostile foreign force.\u201d She described Lai\u2019s actions as a direct threat to regional stability, calling him a \u201cdestroyer of cross-straits peace.\u201d
"Taiwan secession means war,\u201d Zhu stated, reiterating Beijing\u2019s stance that reunification remains a \u201crock-solid\u201d goal. She emphasized the exercises target only \u201cTaiwan secessionists and their activities,\u201d not residents of the island, and urged cross-strait unity against external interference.
Strategic Implications
Analysts suggest the drills underscore China\u2019s growing impatience with perceived U.S.-backed separatist movements. The PLA\u2019s simulated encirclement of the Taiwan region signals advanced operational readiness and serves as a deterrent ahead of Lai\u2019s scheduled policy address next month.
Cross-strait relations have deteriorated since Lai\u2019s political coalition, which Beijing views as separatist, won Taiwan\u2019s leadership election in January. The Chinese mainland has suspended official dialogue and tightened economic measures in response.
