Justice will prevail, and the mission will be fulfilled

Editor's note: Jun Sheng is a current affairs commentator. The article was first published by China Military Online on December 29, and it reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

On December 29, the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) launched the "Justice Mission 2025" drills. The torrent of steel sweeping around the island of Taiwan and the roar of machinery descending upon it serve as a severe warning to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and external interference. This is a legitimate and necessary action to defend national sovereignty and maintain national unity.

The root cause of the tension and turbulence in the Taiwan Straits lies in the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' collusion with external forces to continually provoke and seek "independence." Since Lai Ching-te took office, the DPP authorities have stubbornly relied on foreign support to seek independence and rejected reunification by force. The shared history of the two sides of the Straits is being constantly distorted, and the space for communication maliciously compressed.

For the sake of their own dirty political gains, the DPP authorities are attempting to turn Taiwan into a "powder keg" and a "porcupine island." They do not hesitate to bind the Taiwan public to the chariot of "independence," dragging the island ever closer to the abyss of war. From sending personnel to visit various countries under different pretexts, to declaring a defense budget increase to 5 percent of GDP by 2030, to pushing for $40 billion in arms purchases while reiterating that the relationship between the U.S. and China's Taiwan region are "rock solid" – the DPP authorities have fully exposed their sycophantic subservience to the U.S. and their bellicose madness.

The U.S. side also bears unshirkable responsibility for the deteriorating situation across the Taiwan Straits. Although the U.S. claims to adhere to the "one-China policy" and have no intention of interfering in China's internal affairs, and even stated in its recently released National Security Strategy that it "does not support any unilateral changes to the status quo in the Taiwan Straits," its actions tell a different story.

In practice, certain U.S. politicians have long been duplicitous and faithless. They play the "Taiwan card" by any means necessary, blatantly upgrading so-called U.S.-Taiwan relations, intensifying arms sales, and continuously eroding, hollowing out and obscuring the one-China principle. Their delusion is to obstruct China's reunification process and "contain China with Taiwan."

These perverse actions cannot change the legal fact that Taiwan is part of Chinese territory. They cannot shake the basic structure of the international community's adherence to the one-China principle, nor can they stop the historical trend that China will eventually, and inevitably, be reunified.

A series of international documents, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, clearly define China's sovereignty over Taiwan and constitute an important part of the post-war international order. The Anti-Secession Law, implemented 20 years ago, has become a powerful deterrent – a Sword of Damocles hanging over separatist forces – and has solidified a broad consensus in the international community that this is a "red line" not to be touched. Facts fully prove that adhering to the one-China principle is a matter of international justice, the will of the people, and the general trend of history.

For the recalcitrant "Taiwan independence" supporters and the external forces with ulterior motives, warnings and punishments should be issued in a language they understand and fear. From "Joint Sword" to "Strait Thunder," these past military drills conducted around the island carry great political significance, clear strategic direction and strong military objectives. They have formed a complete combination blow to strike at "Taiwan independence" backers and promote reunification. These operations drive the deepening of military struggle preparations, increasingly releasing the efficacy of training for combat readiness and the powerful deterrence of stopping war through martial strength.

The "Justice Mission 2025" drills are equally clear in their direction and manifest in their impact. The exercise aims to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity and to protect the fundamental interests and safety of all Chinese people, including our Taiwan residents. It is designed to resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external interference; it is a heavy responsibility and a glorious mission.

Furthermore, all arrangements regarding the exercise comply with international law and basic norms of international relations, as well as China's Constitution, Anti-Secession Law and National Security Law. It is fully justified, legitimate and beyond reproach.

Looking at the history of these drills, while the code names may change, the determination and will remain constant, and what is showcased is hardcore strength. Currently, the balance of power across the Straits has long undergone a fundamental shift, and the Chinese mainland firmly holds the initiative and dominance in cross-Straits relations. In recent years, as a series of state-of-the-art military equipment has been accelerated into service, the PLA's pace toward building a world-class military has become more resonant.

The military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War held on September 3 was the first concentrated debut of the PLA's new military force structure, highlighting China's ability to defend national sovereignty, security and development interests, as well as to maintain world peace.

Recently, the successful electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoffs of the J-35, J-15T and KJ-600 from the aircraft carrier Fujian have attracted high attention from all sides. This steel torrent, capable of crushing any invading enemy, fully demonstrates the new look of the people's army in the new era: its new force structure, progress in modernization and effectiveness in combat readiness. It declares to the world that China's military force is ready to fight at all times, capable of fighting at any time, and certain to win if China fights.

Washington should resist the temptation to hand political "weapons" to forces advocating "Taiwan independence," or to gamble with the future of the Chinese people. Persisting down that path will only backfire. Likewise, the DPP needs to face reality and recognize the direction of history. Pursuing separatism is a road to nowhere.

China's armed forces remain steadfast in safeguarding national sovereignty and advancing peaceful reunification. Each escalation by "Taiwan independence" forces will only invite stronger countermeasures, and bring the country one step closer to eventual, complete reunification.

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