PLA drills send clear warning to Taiwan secessionists, external forces: observers

The military exercises around Taiwan by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command send a clear warning to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and external forces attempting to undermine peace in the Taiwan Strait that China takes a zero-tolerance attitude to any secessionist activities, according to observers in Taiwan region.

The PLA Eastern Theater Command's army, navy, air and rocket forces closed in on the Taiwan Island from multiple directions during the drills on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Observers say that the latest PLA drills are highly realistic and targeted, not only imposing military pressure but also sending a direct warning to the DPP against fueling cross-Strait tensions for political gain.

"The mainland's drills from yesterday to today (Tuesday to Wednesday) are primarily aimed at Lai Ching-te and his promotion of secession rhetoric and actions. Looking back from last year's 'Joint Sword-2024A' drills to the current 'Strait Thunder-2025A' exercise, we can see a clear step-by-step progression. Previously, the drills were conducted in more peripheral areas, but now they are gradually moving closer to Taiwan. I believe the purpose of this exercise is to warn secessionists not to act recklessly," said Lin Ming-cheng, a current affairs commentator in Taiwan.

In coordination with the military exercise, the Eastern Theater Command has also released a series of statements through its official channels, while China Coast Guard conducted law enforcement patrols in the waters surrounding Taiwan on the same day.

This underscores the mainland's firm determination and capability to defend China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, observers say.

"During this round of drills, the PLA conducted live-fire exercises involving army, navy, air and rocket forces. This sends a direct message to the U.S., Japan, the Philippines, and other relevant countries that the entire region can be placed under a blockade. I think the PLA's swift response sends a clear signal to the U.S. that it cannot deter China or interfere in Taiwan affairs," said Lai Yueh-chien, another current affairs commentator in Taiwan.

Media outlets in Taiwan have provided extensive coverage of the drills, with many pointing out that they surpassed previous exercises in both scale and precision targeting.

Analysts suggest the drills reflect the PLA's growing readiness to respond swiftly to potential crises in the Taiwan Strait.

Since taking office, Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te has repeatedly pushed secession narratives, including the claim that Taiwan and the Chinese mainland are "not subordinate to each other."

Recently, he brazenly labeled the mainland as a "foreign hostile force" while ramping up military preparations, moves critics say are dragging Taiwan further down a dangerous path toward conflict.

"Lai Ching-te has openly called himself ‘a pragmatic worker for Taiwan secession.’ From claiming that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are 'not subordinate to each other' to labeling the mainland as a 'hostile foreign force,' he is deliberately fueling cross-Strait tensions to consolidate internal support and shift focus away from his governance failures in Taiwan," said Hung Hsiu-chu, former chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party.

"He has completely misjudged the situation. With Trump winning the election again and having been in office for just over three months, he is seizing the moment to escalate his push for Taiwan secession, willingly positioning himself as a pawn of the U.S. But such actions are utterly foolish - what benefits do they bring to Taiwan? All they do is to further heighten tensions in the Taiwan Strait," said Hung.

"What's even more horrifying is that if he continues such provocations while refusing to treat cross-Strait relations as an internal matter, he is treading the red line of cross-strait relations, yet thinks he is walking the red carpet. If this continues, will there ever be peace in the Taiwan Strait? He is dragging Taiwan into an abyss of disaster, and the ones who will suffer most are ordinary people in Taiwan. So I think this unwise approach must be curbed by all means necessary," she said.

PLA drills send clear warning to Taiwan secessionists, external forces: observers

PLA drills send clear warning to Taiwan secessionists, external forces: observers

Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.

"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.

He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.

"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.

"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.

Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival