The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Saturday launched combat readiness patrol and military exercises around the Taiwan Island, which will last from April 8 to 10 Beijing time as scheduled, Reuters reports.
The patrol and exercises are taking place in the maritime areas and airspace of the Taiwan Strait, off the northern and southern coasts of the island, and to the island's east.
A video released on Saturday showed that the army, air and naval forces of the command immediately maneuvered towards the designated area upon receiving the command, and conducted military deployment.
Long-range rocket launchers, destroyers, frigates, missile speedboats, fighters, bombers, jamming aircraft, and tanker aircraft have all taken part in the military exercises.
The exercises on Saturday mainly focus on testing the troops' ability in air superiority, sea control, and information dominance.
Combat readiness patrol was also carried out around the Taiwan Island to present an omnidirectional deterrent posture around the island.
These operations serve as a stern warning against the collusion between separatist forces seeking "Taiwan independence" and external forces and against their provocative activities, said Shi Yi, a spokesperson for the command, adding that the operations are necessary for safeguarding China's national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
