The People’s Liberation Army began two days of joint military drills in waters to the north, south and east of Taiwan island yesterday, as well as the areas around the islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu, and Dongyin. Two experts share their views on CCTV. Excerpts follow:
Meaning of north, south, east very specific
Zhang Chi, a military expert
The military drill can be seen from three perspectives. First, the drill near the northern part of the island sends clear signals to important political and military targets of the Taiwan authorities, while also serving as a warning to the island’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party.
The exercise near the south of the island is a political attack on the stronghold of “Taiwan independence” forces in Tainan. It is an economic blockade of Taiwan Island, as Kaohsiung port, near the southern part of the island, is Taiwan’s largest port, and the drill shows the PLA’s ability to choke the port, Taiwan’s maritime gateway, and deal a blow to Taiwan’s trade. Third, Kaohsiung port is an important garrison for Taiwan’s maritime armed forces, and the exercise shows that the PLA can keep them contained in the port, which is a powerful deterrent to the “Taiwan independence” forces’ fantasy of “seeking independence with arms”.
It should be noted that the exercise near the east of the island is aimed at blocking three lines: First, the lifeline for Taiwan’s energy imports. Second, the escape line that the “Taiwan independence” forces would take to flee. Third, the support lines of some United States’ allies to provide aid to the “Taiwan independence” forces. Hualien county, east of the Taiwan, is on the Pacific Ocean and has one of the island’s main ports. Thus, the PLA’s simulated strike exercise in the sea and airspace near Hualien demonstrates its ability to jointly take control of these important areas. That shows that the PLA can deter and strike Taiwan’s ports, airports and other important targets from multiple directions.
Comprehensive strength on display
Meng Xiangqing, a professor at the PLA National Defense University
The military drill has many new features compared with earlier ones. It is much bigger in size. The number of troops involved is higher. The exercise area covers a wider area. The exercise is closer to an actual combat scenario.
The exercise has made several breakthroughs: First, PLA ships reached Wuqiu island and Dongyin island for the first time, sending an important warning to “Taiwan independence” forces. In Wuqiu island and other places, Taiwan has illegally declared “prohibited and restricted waters”. The mainland’s coast guard vessels entered the “restricted waters” for the first time, but not the “prohibited waters”. It means, if the “Taiwan independence” forces escalate their provocation, the PLA may enter the “prohibited waters” to carry out inspections of Taiwan ships in the area and conduct combat-readiness patrols.
Second, the combat-readiness patrols are an important part of this exercise. PLA ships and planes came as close as ever to Taiwan Island. The Taiwan Island and adjacent islands, the waters near the island, the seabed and the sky, are all part of China’s territory. The PLA has the right to navigate in the nation’s territorial waters and the contiguous zone.
Third, this drill shows the characteristics of holding joint and integrated operations, and seizing comprehensive control of the sea, land and air. This time the coast guard is cooperating closely with the PLA. Meanwhile, according to the map released by the PLA Eastern Theater Command, it is operating closer to the east, south and north of Taiwan Island, including Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin islands. Besides, many new forces have joined the drill, including network forces, information support forces and information systems. These new forces play an essential role in boosting the PLA’s comprehensive capabilities and joint strike capabilities.
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