The Eastern Combat Command Zone of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has released video from a military exercise in which troops surround Taiwan and strike critical facilities, Asian media reported on Wednesday.
The “Strait Thunder 2025A” military exercise in the central and southern waters of the Taiwan Strait began on April 2. Several PLA fighter-bombers practised a scenario of “establishing strike positions.” According to PLA Eastern Area Combat Command spokesman Shi Yi, the exercise is aimed at testing the troops’ “regional control, joint blockade and precision strike capabilities.”
Taiwan’s defence ministry this morning reported 76 PLA aircraft and 15 ships approaching the island. According to the ministry, 37 aircraft entered Taiwan’s northern, central, southwestern and eastern air defence zones.
“Thunder in the Strait – 2025A” was part of a joint exercise by China’s army, navy and missile forces near Taiwan. Shi Yi called Beijing’s actions legitimate and necessary to protect national sovereignty.
Taiwan and mainland China split in 1949 during a civil war. The Chinese government adheres to the “one China” principle, considers the government in Taiwan as separatist and the island itself as its own province. Now Taiwan’s independence is recognised only by the Vatican and 11 states.
