‘Prepared for battle’: China’s chilling threat against Taiwan

This morning, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theatre Command formally announced the no-notice military manoeuvres in an anticipated response to Taiwan’s new President giving a stoic National Day speech.

President Lai Ching-te angered Beijing after refusing to accept the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) holds any form of sovereignty over his democratic state, and insisted it had no right to speak on behalf of the Taiwanese people.

Lai also vowed to “resist annexation”.

Chairman Xi Jinping has repeatedly threatened to invade the last remaining bastion of the old Republic of China during his constitution-bending three terms of office.

The Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command unveiled a fresh combat training video on Sunday, emphasizing their constant readiness and capability to engage in combat missions: The Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command pic.twitter.com/V93QEYnhC0

— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) October 13, 2024

This morning, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theatre Command formally announced the no-notice military manoeuvres in an anticipated response to Taiwan’s new President giving a stoic National Day speech.

President Lai Ching-te angered Beijing after refusing to accept the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) holds any form of sovereignty over his democratic state, and insisted it had no right to speak on behalf of the Taiwanese people.

Lai also vowed to “resist annexation”.

Chairman Xi Jinping has repeatedly threatened to invade the last remaining bastion of the old Republic of China during his constitution-bending three terms of office.

Beijing retorted to “separatist” Lai’s defiant stand, calling his words “provocations” that would result in “disaster”.

On Sunday, the PLA Eastern Command released a propaganda video on its social media accounts titled, “Fully prepared and biding one’s time before battle”.

On Monday morning, it proclaimed that “joint military exercises in the surrounding waters and airspace near Taiwan” would begin immediately – just hours after Taipei stated it had detected a Chinese aircraft carrier operating off its southern coast.

 

 

“(Taiwan) strongly condemns the PLA’s irrational and provocative actions and will deploy appropriate forces to respond and defend our national sovereignty,” its defence ministry asserted.

#PLA Eastern Theater Command has announced joint military exercises in the surrounding waters and airspace near Taiwan. #ROCArmedForces strongly condemn the PLA’s irrational and provocative actions and will deploy appropriate forces to respond and defend our national sovereignty.

— 國防部 Ministry of National Defense, ROC(Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MoNDefense) October 13, 2024

Military intimidation

“This not only demonstrates PLA’s unwavering commitment to being prepared to safeguard China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, but also acts as a warning to ‘Taiwan independence’ forces after Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te’s latest provocative speech,” asserts the CCP-controlled Global Times news service.

The PLA propaganda video, it notes, is titled: “Zhen Ge Dai Dan”.

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