The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command on Tuesday started joint exercises around Taiwan island. Military experts noted that the drills are clearly targeted, and aimed directly at the Lai Ching-te authorities and "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. They said that the operation is a legitimate and necessary measure to firmly safeguard China's national sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

In the drills, the theater command organized its army, navy, air and rocket forces to close in on Taiwan island from multiple directions, said Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the theater command.

According to Shi, these drills mainly focus on sea-air combat-readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, assault on maritime and ground targets, and blockade of key areas and sea lanes to test the joint operation capabilities of the troops.

The drills serve as a stern warning and forceful deterrent against "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, and are a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity, Shi said.

The spokesperson's statement underscored the nature of the exercise, making clear that it is directed at the Lai Ching-te authorities and "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, Zhang Chi, a professor at the National Defense University, told Global Times on Tuesday. 

Since taking office, Lai has pushed "green terror" policies on the island, deliberately undermined stability across the Taiwan Straits, pushed a new version of the so-called "two-states theory," and persisted in pursuing a separatist agenda. He has repeatedly made blatant separatist remarks and falsely labeled the Chinese mainland as an "external hostile force," said Zhang. 

"Such rhetoric is more deceptive and more dangerous, planting serious hidden risks of war in the Taiwan Straits and pushing Taiwan into a perilous situation of military conflict. Ultimately, it is the people on the island who will suffer. Lai is, without doubt, a troublemaker, a danger creator, and a war instigator," Zhang said.

Zhang said that China's reunification is inevitable and represents the overarching trend of history - one that no one can stop. Taiwan's future and destiny lie in national reunification, and the well-being of Taiwan compatriots depends on cross-Straits peace and national rejuvenation. 

This exercise is specifically targeting the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and is a legitimate and necessary move to firmly safeguard national sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, said Zhang.