The ?????? ??? ????2017People's Liberation Army's military exercises around Taiwan Island on Monday have showcased its comprehensive blockade capabilities, a military expert said on Monday, noting that the drills could transition from training to combat at any moment.
Zhang Chi, a professor at the PLA National Defence University, said that the PLA forces along with the Coast Guard, are approaching Taiwan Island from multiple directions, effectively sealing it off.
The PLA's Eastern Theater Command announced on 5 am early Monday morning that it had commenced joint military exercises encircling Taiwan Island, involving the Ground Force, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force.
The exercises focused on sea and air combat readiness patrols, blockade of key ports and areas, strikes against maritime targets, and the seizure of comprehensive control.
Also on Monday morning, the China Coast Guard said that its four vessel fleets conducted law enforcement patrols around Taiwan Island on Monday.
Zhang said, compared to PLA's previous exercises around the island over the past two years, the current drills are conducted closer to the island, further demonstrating the PLA's ability to impose a "comprehensive, multi-domain, three-dimensional blockade."
According to a map released by the Eastern Theater Command, the exercises encompassed six main areas around Taiwan Island, including areas in the Taiwan Strait and to the east, north, and south of the island.
The military expert said that exercises conducted to the north and south of Taiwan are intended as a direct warning to the authorities led by Lai Ching-te and "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.
Drills in the island's eastern maritime and airspace aimed to disrupt three critical routes, Zhang noted.
"Firstly, to cut off the lifeline of Taiwan's energy and resource imports; secondly, to block external forces from providing support to 'Taiwan independence' forces; and thirdly, to prevent 'Taiwan independence' forces from escaping sanctions and fleeing away," he said.
The professor pointed out that the PLA forces were mobilized during the night and launching military deterrence operations by 5 am.