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Taiwan
ChinaPolitics

Beijing moves drills closer to Taiwan, with Shandong carrier in ‘response zone’

The PLA Eastern Theatre Command’s exercises are advancing on the self-ruled island ‘step-by-step’, an analyst says

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Footage of the PLA aircraft carrier Shandong was included in a video released by Eastern Theatre Command on Tuesday to coincide with its joint exercises near Taiwan. Photo: Eastern Theatre Command
Sylvie Zhuangin BeijingandAmber Wangin Beijing
Beijing started another series of joint military and coastguard drills around Taiwan on Tuesday, with experts saying the exercises – which include the Shandong aircraft carrier – were intended to squeeze Taipei’s space to respond in the event of an attack.

According to the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command, the patrols and exercises included simulated air and land strikes, as well as control of key passages to test the joint combat readiness of its troops.

Screenshot from a video titled Subdue Demons and Vanquish Evils that was released by the PLA Eastern Theatre Command on Tuesday to coincide with the military exercises near Taiwan. Photo: Eastern Theatre Command
Screenshot from a video titled Subdue Demons and Vanquish Evils that was released by the PLA Eastern Theatre Command on Tuesday to coincide with the military exercises near Taiwan. Photo: Eastern Theatre Command
“This is a stern warning and a strong deterrent to the separatist forces of Taiwan independence, and is a legitimate and necessary action to defend national sovereignty and safeguard national unity,” spokesman Colonel Shi Yi said.

Beijing views Taiwan as part of China to be reunited, by force if necessary. Most countries, including the United States, do not recognise Taiwan as independent. But Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the island by force and is committed to supplying weapons for its defence.

According to Shi, army, navy, air and rocket forces were deployed on the multidirectional naval and aerial manoeuvres.

He said the drill was focused on combat readiness patrols, seizing comprehensive control, striking maritime and land targets, imposing blockades on key areas and routes, and testing the joint operational capabilities of the theatre’s forces.

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