PLA Eastern Theater Command concludes patrol, military exercises around Taiwan Island

This photo taken on April 9, 2023 shows artillery weapons of the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) simulating the launch of precision strikes during the combat readiness patrol and military exercises around the Taiwan Island. (Xinhua/Han Xueyang)

NANJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has accomplished all tasks in the combat readiness patrol and military exercises carried out from April 8 to 10 around the island of Taiwan.

The operations have comprehensively tested the integrated joint combat capability of the PLA's multiple services and arms under actual combat conditions.

Upon the order to launch the operations, multiple task forces of the command, involving the army, navy, air, and rocket forces, were quickly mobilized and assembled to the designated areas for combat deployment, creating an omni-directional deterrence situation around the island.

The air force under the command deployed dozens of J-16 and J-10C fighter jets mounted with live ammunition to carry out multiple waves of strikes on mid- and long-range air targets with the guidance and support of early warning aircraft, jammers and tankers.

Multiple destroyers and frigates from the theater command's naval force created deterrence by advancing on the waters around the island of Taiwan at high speed. Drills were conducted for close-range assault, long-range deterrence, and air and missile defense. The naval formation and submarine-hunting aircraft cooperated to form a joint anti-submarine system.

The operations effectively tested the capabilities of the participating troops to seize control of targeted sea areas, airspace and relevant information, with the support of the joint operations system.

Multiple services and arms of the PLA carried out comprehensive and precise simulated attacks on the key targets in the island and surrounding waters.

The PLA Navy aircraft carrier Shandong formation closely coordinated with the previously deployed navy and air forces of the command to organize exercises and training in airspace control, sea target assault and support through coordinated action.

Zhang Benming, a PLA Air Force senior colonel of the Eastern Theater Command, said that during the deterrence military operations, the troops advanced toward and besieged the island from multiple directions, with their abilities of seizing command, precision strikes and three-dimensional blockade with the support of the joint operations system being comprehensively tested.

The troops are ready and able to fight at any time to resolutely crush any form of attempt to seek "Taiwan independence" and external interference, and they have the courage to fight and the mettle to win, Zhang said.

This video screenshot taken on April 9, 2023 shows a warplane of the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) being refueled during the combat readiness patrol and military exercises around the Taiwan Island. (Xinhua)

This photo taken on April 9, 2023 shows a J-15 fighter taking off from aircraft carrier Shandong during the combat readiness patrol and military exercises around the Taiwan Island by the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). (Photo by An Ni/Xinhua)

This photo taken on April 9, 2023 shows artillery weapons of the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) during the combat readiness patrol and military exercises around the Taiwan Island. (Photo by Li Zhenjie/Xinhua)

This photo taken on April 9, 2023 shows warplanes of the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) during the combat readiness patrol and military exercises around the Taiwan Island. (Photo by Mei Shaoquan/Xinhua)

This photo taken on April 9, 2023 shows a J-15 fighter ready to take off from aircraft carrier Shandong during the combat readiness patrol and military exercises around the Taiwan Island carried out by the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). (Photo by An Ni/Xinhua)

This photo taken on April 7, 2023 shows the rocket force of the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) transferring a missile before the combat readiness patrol and military exercises around the Taiwan Island. (Photo by Liu Mingsong/Xinhua)

This photo taken on April 8, 2023 shows a fighter taking off during the combat readiness patrol and military exercises around the Taiwan Island carried out by the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). (Photo by Wang Zixiao/Xinhua)

This photo taken on April 8, 2023 shows the rocket force of the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducting operations during the combat readiness patrol and military exercises around the Taiwan Island. (Photo by Liu Mingsong/Xinhua)

This video screenshot taken on April 8, 2023 shows a bomber of the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducting operations during the combat readiness patrol and military exercises around the Taiwan Island. (Photo by Yang Yang/Xinhua)