January 19, 2024 Recent nighttime exercises and patrols conducted by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) around Taiwan are part of routine activities aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to Chinese mainland experts. The defense authority on Taiwan reported the detection of 24 PLA aircraft and five PLA vessels around the island over the past day, with 11 crossing the so-called median line of the Taiwan Straits or entering the island’s self-proclaimed southwestern and northern air defense identification zone.
The PLA exercises, including Su-30 fighter jets and Y-8 special mission aircraft, were reported to have operated at night, demonstrating a high level of round-the-clock combat readiness and training. Foreign media, including Reuters, noted that these exercises were the first large-scale military activity after the recent regional election in Taiwan.
Chinese mainland experts emphasized that such exercises and patrols are routine and have become regular occurrences in recent years. The numbers reported in the recent activities are not considered significant compared to previous instances. The emphasis on nighttime operations highlights the PLA’s commitment to maintaining a high level of combat readiness facing the Taiwan Straits.
The mainland experts stated that these exercises serve as warnings to “Taiwan independence” secessionists and external interference forces. They also contribute to the practical enhancement of the PLA’s combat capabilities, aligning with the overarching goal of safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
While the Chinese mainland emphasizes its commitment to peaceful reunification, it does not promise to renounce the use of force and reserves the option of taking necessary measures against interference from external forces and “Taiwan independence” separatists. The election of Lai Ching-te, a perceived hardline “Taiwan independence” separatist, as the regional leader in Taiwan has raised concerns, leading to speculations about potential future actions by the Chinese mainland.
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