This is a big provocation
Chinese military to hold combat alert patrol, joint exercise “encircling island of Taiwan from Sat to Mon” : media
— Apex (@Apex_WW) April 8, 2023
via chinadaily:
The Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army has started its combat readiness patrols and exercises around the Taiwan Island, a spokesman of the command said.
Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesman for the command, said the operations are a serious warning to the collusion and provocations by “Taiwan independence” separatists and external forces and a necessary move to safeguard China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
She said that the operations called “Joint Sword” will take place from Saturday to Monday in the waters and air in the Taiwan Straits and to the north, east and south of the island.
He did not give more information about the exercises.
On Friday night, maritime safety authorities in Fujian province published navigational warnings saying that military exercises are scheduled to take place in the coming days in certain areas near the mainland.
#BREAKING Taiwan detects eight Chinese warships and 42 fighter jets around the island: defence ministry pic.twitter.com/A3mGVROEJW
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 8, 2023
8 Ships from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy alongside 42 Aircraft have crossed the Median-Line between the Chinese Mainland and Taiwan early this morning. pic.twitter.com/wiDsbAdNZP
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 8, 2023
h/t Brady Bunch