The Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) carried out a number of simulated strikes against key targets on Taiwan Island and its surrounding waters in exercises over the weekend. Zhao Xiaozhuo, researcher at Academy of Military Science of PLA, says "Taiwan independence" forces could escalate the tension, and they should pay the bill. He adds that "Taiwan independence" forces, just like a tumor, require an operation to remove them. He also adds that soldiers all love peace, but if someone poses a threat to the most core of interests, like national sovereignty and national unity of a country, then they are bound to strike back.