Photo: PLA Eastern Theater Command

Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson of the PLA Eastern Theater Command, said on Monday that starting from Monday, the PLA Eastern Theater Command is dispatching its Army, Navy, Air Force and Rocket Force troops to conduct joint military drills code-named "Justice Mission 2025" in the Taiwan Straits and areas to the north, southwest, southeast and east of the Taiwan island. 

A Military affairs expert said that a poster released by the Eastern Theater Command fully demonstrates the strength of the PLA, that is, no matter how many weapons are procured by Taiwan region, such arms purchases are all futile and in vain in the face of the PLA's impregnable defense.

The theme poster "Shield of Justice, Smashing Illusion" released by the PLA Eastern Theater Command shows that two massive shields engraved with the pattern of the Great Wall and the PLA August 1 Army Emblem are planted in the waters off the northeastern and southeastern coasts of Taiwan island respectively. Two container cargo ships bound for Taiwan island and carrying weapons including HIMARS rocket systems have turned back; three C-130 Hercules transport aircraft have flown back; and three Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines have been intercepted underwater.

On December 17, the US government announced a weapons and equipment sales package to China's Taiwan region worth over $11.1 billion, a figure that sets a record high for US arms sales to Taiwan in history. The package includes 82 sets of the HIMARS long-range precision strike systems.

A military affairs expert told the Global Times that the warning message conveyed by the "shields" is extremely strong. The imagery is a direct response to the unprecedented $11.1 billion US arms sales package to Taiwan, sending a clear warning to the DPP authorities that no matter how many weapons they procure, such arms purchases will all prove futile and in vain in the face of the PLA's impregnable defense.

The military affairs expert further analyzed that judging from the geographical positions depicted in the poster, "the two shields have precisely sealed off the Miyako Strait and the Bashi Channel - critical thoroughfares for Taiwan island's inbound material supply and outbound evacuation of warships and aircraft. In particular, the Bashi Channel features deep waters and serves as a key passage for foreign submarines to enter and exit the region, making the PLA's intentions self-evident."

The Global Times also noted that the "shields" in the poster have been deliberately crafted with blade-shaped edges at their bases, symbolizing a dual capability for both defense and offense. They serve three purposes: first, to shatter the vain fantasies of the "Taiwan independence" separatists to seek "Taiwan independence" by relying on external powers; second, to thwart the malicious intentions of external forces to stir up trouble in the Taiwan Straits; and third, to dash the pipe dreams of the "Taiwan independence" separatists to flee the island for their lives.

Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang issued a stern warning at the regular press conference in December that Taiwan is China's Taiwan, and how to resolve the Taiwan question is a matter for the Chinese people themselves. It is only natural and justified for the PLA to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, crack down on separatism and promote reunification, and the PLA will never show leniency in doing so, nor will the US be allowed to have a say in this matter whatsoever.