China News Agency, Beijing, August 8th: What is the significance of the 4 first military exercises around Taiwan Island of the People's Liberation Army?
China News Agency reporter Li Chun
According to Chinese official news, on August 8, the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army continued to conduct practical joint exercises in the sea and airspace around Taiwan Island, focusing on organizing joint anti-submarine and sea assault operations.
So far, military experts have analyzed that four of them are worthy of attention for the first time, and the meaning behind them reflects the determination and ability of the PLA to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Approaching Taiwan Island like never before
Previously, the People's Liberation Army had conducted military exercises against "Taiwan independence" separatist forces many times, but most of them were located along the coast of the mainland.
This military exercise and training operation around Taiwan Island is very close to Taiwan Island, whether it is the delineation of the six training areas or the live ammunition.
"This has never happened in the past," said Meng Xiangqing, a professor at the National Defense University.
For example, among the six training areas, the north-westerly training area is located on Pingtan Island, which is the narrowest part of the Taiwan Strait.
Zhang Junshe, a researcher at the Naval Research Institute, pointed out that the PLA's deployment here can block the northern entrance of the Taiwan Strait.
The two areas in the northern part of Taiwan Island can block the Keelung Port, and the training area in the eastern part directly targets the two military bases in Taitung and Hualien.
Meng Xiangqing also pointed out that such a regional setting is also a deterrent to the interference of external forces.
For example, the two training areas in the south guard the Bashi Strait, and the Bashi Channel can be jointly closed and controlled.
"The Bashi Strait is the only way to enter and exit the South China Sea, which has a direct deterrent effect on external forces."
The situation of encirclement around the island training
In addition to approaching Taiwan Island, the demarcation of the six training areas has also formed a siege of Taiwan Island, which is unprecedented in the history of the People's Liberation Army.
Meng Xiangqing pointed out that the six major regions tightly surround Taiwan Island, which can not only jointly block and control Taiwan Island, but also attack the "Taiwan independence" forces.
This is like a chain. If the six regions are connected in a line, it is equivalent to trapping "Taiwan independence" within Taiwan Island.
Zhang Junshe also pointed out that for the first time, the PLA organized joint air and sea exercises around Taiwan Island, including subjects such as joint blockade and control, sea assault, land strike, and air superiority operations. It is very strong, and can switch from training to battle at any time.
"It reflects that the joint combat capability under the support of our military system has been greatly improved, and it also shows that the PLA can completely control the island."
Crossing the "midline" to cover the whole island
It is worth mentioning that in this military exercise, the PLA set up a training area east of Taiwan Island for the first time.
Some people point out that this is the PLA's actual action to deny the existence of the so-called "strait center line".
Zhang Junshe pointed out that the long-range live ammunition in this exercise is aimed at the east of the so-called "strait center line", which is to show the Taiwan authorities that the People's Liberation Army can shell Kinmen in the past, and now rocket artillery can cover the whole island of Taiwan at any time and hit in large quantities. , hit when you want to hit, hit any target you want to hit.
During the exercise, the PLA's naval and air forces continuously crossed the so-called "central line of the strait" to conduct security patrols on a large scale.
"This shows that in the PLA's dictionary, there has never been a so-called 'strait center line', and the Taiwan Strait cannot stop the PLA's determination to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity." Zhang Junshe said.
Aircraft carrier formation deterrence exercise
Meng Xiangqing also mentioned that this actual combat-oriented joint exercise is the first time the PLA organized an aircraft carrier formation to conduct a deterrent exercise and built a three-dimensional combat platform at sea.
He also pointed out that under normal circumstances, the aircraft carrier formation will be accompanied by nuclear submarines when performing tasks.
Why are aircraft carrier formations deterrent?
"The aircraft carrier is the most important weapon of the country and a strategic weapon." Zhang Junshe said that the aircraft carrier formation can perform tasks such as sea assault, land strike, and air superiority operations, and can also attack underwater targets. It has a strong three-dimensional combat capability , which is also a manifestation of the deterrence of the aircraft carrier formation.
The expert also pointed out that the target of this deterrent exercise is naturally the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and external interference forces. It is also an improvement in the maritime combat capability of the PLA aircraft carrier formation, which will greatly promote the combat capability of a series of formation systems. effect.
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