The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has concluded its "Joint Sword-2024B" drills, said a spokesperson on Monday.
The command on Monday organized its troops of army, navy, air force and rocket force to conduct the drills in the Taiwan Strait and in areas to the north, south and east of Taiwan Island.
Li Xi, spokesperson for the command, said the integrated joint operation capabilities of the troops were fully tested during the drills.
Always on high alert, troops of the command will keep strengthening combat readiness with arduous training and resolutely foil "Taiwan independence" separatist attempts, Li added.
The "Joint Sword-2024B" drills focused on joint sea-air combat readiness patrols, blockade and control of key ports and areas, strikes on sea and land targets, and joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, so as to test the joint real combat capabilities of the PLA soldiers.
The drills involved vessels and planes closing in on the island from multiple directions and assaults by joint forces.
"In this exercise, the heart of the mission for me and my fellow soldiers was to break through the 'enemy's' air defense alert system and seize regional air superiority. It directly tested our airspace alert, air confrontation, and aerial refueling capabilities in a real combat scenario. We aimed to warn the separatists, in a language the 'enemy' understands, that seeking 'Taiwan independence' means war and such attempts will only backfire and bring their own destruction," said Wei Cao, a pilot from an air brigade of the Eastern Theater Command.
"As a killer punch of the army's long-range firepower, our rocket artillery unit is capable of fast response, high precision and fierce firepower in combat. We are fully capable of precise long-distance strikes, with increasingly formidable punches and more options at our disposal. If the 'Taiwan independence' forces are bent on playing with fire, they will undoubtedly be severely punished," said Li Xiaotian, a solider of a rocket artillery unit of the command.
PLA concludes "Joint Sword-2024B" drills
PLA concludes "Joint Sword-2024B" drills
China's push toward a greener future is once again in the spotlight at this year's annual political "two sessions", as lawmakers are reviewing a draft ecological environment code, a significant step toward establishing a comprehensive legal framework for ecological protection.
The draft code was submitted on March 5 to the ongoing fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, for deliberation.
Once adopted, it will become China's second formal statutory code, after the Civil Code, which was adopted in 2020.
The rule of law has been continuously strengthened to support the country's green progress. China already has more than 30 laws related to environmental protection, along with over 100 sets of administrative regulations and more than 1,000 sets of local rules.
The latest legislative move comes amid China's historic gains in ecological conservation over the past decade or so. Championing green development, the country has recorded the world's fastest growth in forest resources and afforestation, led globally in renewable energy development, and achieved one of the fastest national reductions in energy intensity worldwide.
The 1,242-article draft has five chapters, covering areas including pollution control, ecological protection, and green and low-carbon development.
Scholars involved in drafting the legislation say the code goes beyond broad legal principles. It is also designed to address environmental issues that affect people's daily lives.
"Electric vehicles are becoming very common in China. My family has one. We all think it environment-friendly. But have you ever thought about this question: how do we deal with the first generation of EV batteries after they expire a few years later? The same goes for wind turbine blades and solar panels," said Ding Lin, assistant professor of the Renmin University of China.
China's environmental progress has drawn global attention in recent years, from improving air quality to expanding renewable energy. Yet amid geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, some observers have questioned whether the country will maintain the same pace of green transition.
"Last year during the COP30, even some friends who are very familiar with China asked me whether China will continue its green development path. I told them we have gradually worked out new policies. We have a very clear direction and goal. In a world full of uncertainties, we are providing the most certainty," said Wang Yi, an NPC deputy from east China's Zhejiang Province and professor of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
In a country pursuing modernization, taking the time to codify environmental laws sends a clear message: economic growth and environmental protection are not a trade-off to be managed, but a commitment to be upheld. For China, a beautiful environment is not a luxury for the future, it is a right for the present, and a responsibility to the next generation.
"This code reflects China's vision of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. It shows how development and environmental protection can move forward together," said Lyu Zhongmei, vice chair of the NPC Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Committee.
China will accelerate the green transition across the board and cut carbon dioxide emissions per unit of the GDP by a total of 17 percent in the 2026-2030 period, according to a draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for national economic and social development submitted to the NPC for deliberation on March 5.
Chinese lawmakers review draft ecological environment code in major green legislative push
