The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army launched military drills around the island of Taiwan on Thursday. Military experts say the two-day exercises aim to counter separatist forces on the island.
ZHENG HONG China's Naval Research Academy "This drill has very distinctive characteristics. I think, first of all, it's being conducted on a large scale. Second, it covers a very wide area, including the surrounding areas of Taiwan Island and Taiwan's outer islands. Third, it is very practical. We saw that Lai Ching-te's speech on May 20 was very vicious. It was full of hostility, provocation, and arrogance, and he put out the new 'two-state theory.' In response, the People's Liberation Army's operations must be larger than before. The purpose is to severely warn and crack down on the so-called 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces led by Lai Ching-te."
ZHANG CHI PLA National Defense University "We have set up two exercise areas in the sea and air space east of Taiwan Island to block three channels: first, Taiwan's channel for energy imports; second, the channel for 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces who want to escape to evade sanctions; and third, the support line for the United States and its allies to provide assistance to the Taiwan authorities. In general, we want to demonstrate a general impetus of constantly squeezing the space for the activities of Taiwan's authorities and its military and show that we have sufficient control in the region."