The Eastern Theater Command (ETC) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Saturday started combat-readiness patrols and military drills around the Taiwan Straits, north and south of Taiwan Island, and in the airspace and sea to the east of the island, Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the PLA's ETC, said on Saturday.

The operation is a serious warning against provocations by the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and external forces, and a necessary action to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Shi said. 

The operation will last until Monday.