PLA Eastern Theater Command conducts joint drills around Taiwan

Multiple forces of the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) started joint drills code-named "Justice Mission 2025" around the Taiwan Island on Monday.

The PLA Eastern Theater Command has dispatched its Army, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force troops to conduct the drills in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, southwest, southeast and east of the Taiwan Island.

At around 09:30 local time, the Eastern Theater Command's naval formations Baoji, Quzhou, and Taiyuan successively conducted the live-fire drills with multiple weapon systems in the sea and air spaces southwest, north, and east of the Taiwan Island.

The naval formations then conducted a series of drills including anti-missile air-defense, anti-submarine warfare, and joint maritime strikes to test the PLA's capabilities on seizure of comprehensive superiority, blockade on key ports and areas, as well as joint precision strikes on key targets.

"As frontline commanders, we have full confidence and the capability to safeguard regional security and stability, safeguard national sovereignty and interests, and defend the territorial integrity of our motherland in the face of any sabotage, provocation, infringement, or disruption," said Yan Hongsheng, an officer on naval destroyer Taiyuan.

The Eastern Theater Command's air force also launched multiple types of combat aircraft from several airfields just after midnight. Forming large scale air formations, fighters, bombers and special-mission aircraft flew to the sea and airspace east, north and southwest of the Taiwan Island. Working with naval forces and long-range fire units, they conducted sea target strikes, area air-superiority seizure and land attacks, testing the integrated coordination and the ability to seize control.

In the joint exercises, multiple PLA Rocket Force units under the Eastern Theater Command deployed missile launchers in a southeast coastal area, loaded with live ammunition and in combat mode. The Rocket Force conducted simulated attacks on key military targets.

"The Rocket Force troops are prepared for combat all the time, ready for actions at any time, and poised to win in battles. Whenever the commander-in-chief gives the order, we will resolutely thwart the attempts of Taiwan secessionists and external forces' interference," said Li Changquan, an officer of the Rocket Force.

On Monday morning, multiple army groups of the Eastern Theater Command dispatched long-range rocket launcher units to designated areas and conducted successive simulated barrages on targets.

"The recovery of Taiwan is a sacred mission of every soldier and the common aspiration of all the troops. We are fully prepared for combat, with firm determination and strong capability to resolutely eliminate all Taiwan secession separatist forces and defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity," said Liu Jiaming, an army brigade solider of the Eastern Theater Command.

"The Justice Mission 2025 drills will focus on subjects of sea-air combat readiness patrol, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, blockade on key ports and areas, as well as all-dimensional deterrence outside the island chain. With vessels and aircraft approaching the Taiwan Island in close proximity from different directions, the troops of multiple services will engage in joint assaults to test their joint operations capabilities. It is a stern warning against Taiwan separatist forces and external forces, and a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard the motherland's sovereignty and national unity," said Shi Yi, spokesman for the Eastern Theater Command.

PLA Eastern Theater Command conducts joint drills around Taiwan

PLA Eastern Theater Command conducts joint drills around Taiwan

PLA Eastern Theater Command conducts joint drills around Taiwan

PLA Eastern Theater Command conducts joint drills around Taiwan

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Saturday that nuclear power plant sites or nearby areas must never be attacked, following a fourth strike near an Iranian nuclear power plant.

The IAEA said on social platform X that, according to the information from Iran, a projectile hit the nearby area of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant on Saturday morning. This was the fourth such incident in recent weeks, it said.

One staff member at the site was killed by a projectile fragment, while a building on the site was affected by shockwaves and fragments, the IAEA said, citing the Iranian authorities. There was no increase in radiation levels reported, it added.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi expressed his deep concern about the incident, stressing that nuclear power plant sites or nearby areas "must never be attacked." He warned that the auxiliary site buildings may contain vital safety equipment.

Grossi once again stressed the paramount importance of ensuring nuclear safety and security during a conflict, calling for maximum military restraint to avoid the risk of a nuclear accident.

Iran's nuclear facilities have been struck several times since the joint Israeli-U.S. military actions against the Islamic Republic started on Feb. 28.

Nuclear power plants must never be attacked: IAEA chief