China's PLA launches military drills from multiple directions around Taiwan

(ECNS) -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command started to conduct joint exercises from multiple directions around Taiwan Island, according to the Command on Tuesday. 

The drills mainly focused on sea-air combat-readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, assault on maritime and ground targets, and blockade of key areas and sea lanes to test the joint operation capabilities of the troops, it said in a statement released on its official WeChat account.

The joint exercises serve as a stern warning and forceful deterrent against "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, which is a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity, the Command said.

(By Zhang Dongfang)