PLA launches blockade drills around Taiwan with carrier Liaoning in the east

As Mainland China’s People’s Liberation Army launched blockade drills around Taiwan in darkness early on Monday, observers were watching the movements of the PLA aircraft carrier Liaoning operating east of the island.

Beijing’s military movements near the island come days after Beijing hit out at a defiant speech by the island’s leader William Lai Ching-te.

The Joint Sword-2024B drills are being conducted in areas to the north, south and east of Taiwan and the Taiwan Strait, aiming to test the PLA’s joint operation capabilities, said naval Senior Captain Li Xi, spokesman for the PLA Eastern Theatre Command.

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Taiwan leader William Lai says Beijing has no authority over island in Double Tenth speech

Taiwan leader William Lai says Beijing has no authority over island in Double Tenth speech

The exercise focused on sea- and air-combat readiness patrols, and the ability to blockade key ports and other areas, he said.

“It is stern deterrence to the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces. It is a legitimate and necessary operation to safeguard the state sovereignty and integrity,” Li said in a statement.

Li added that this drill was started at night and early morning, and the training could turn to war at any time.

The exercise was announced by the command at 5am on Monday and includes operations from night into early morning. According to a video released by state broadcaster CCTV, PLA soldiers were mobilising at dawn while an aircraft took off during the night.