NANJING - Multiple forces of the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) started drills code-named "Justice Mission 2025" around Taiwan Island Monday, according to the theater command. 

The PLA Eastern Theater Command is dispatching its Army, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force troops to conduct drills in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, southwest, southeast and east of Taiwan Island, said Shi Yi, spokesperson for the theater command.

The drills will focus on subjects of sea-air combat readiness patrol, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, blockade on key ports and areas, as well as all-dimensional deterrence outside the island chain, he added.

"With vessels and aircraft approaching Taiwan Island in close proximity from different directions, troops of multiple services engage in joint assaults to test their joint operations capabilities," he said.

It is a stern warning against "Taiwan Independence" separatist forces and external interference, and a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity, he said.

Combat readiness patrols

Shi said the theater command is also dispatching its naval and air forces to carry out combat readiness patrols around Taiwan Island. The vessels and aircraft will approach Taiwan Island in close proximity from different directions.

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Shi stressed that the move aims to test the capabilities of the troops to conduct rapid maneuvers, form all-dimensional posture, and execute systemic blockade and control.

Mobile ground targets struck

The theater command added that it is employing fighters, bombers and unmanned aerial vehicles in coordination with long-range rocket fires to conduct drills in the waters and airspace in the middle areas of the Taiwan Strait.

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Focusing on striking mobile ground targets, the drills intend to test the troops' capabilities of precision strikes on key targets, the theater command said.