Zhang Chi, a professor of the National Defense University, explains the PLA Eastern Theater Command's "Justice Mission 2025" military exercises, saying one of the keywords is the "decapitation" against "Taiwan independence" criminals

After the PLA Eastern Theater Command launched the "Justice Mission 2025" military exercises on Monday morning, a spokesperson for the DPP's defense authority released a video titled "Resilient Taiwan. Steadfast Defense" on overseas social media platforms, hyping combat readiness of its "three armed forces." Responding to this and commenting on the highlights of PLA's drills in the morning, Zhang Chi, a professor of the National Defense University, told the Global Times that the exercises conducted simulated strikes against key symbolic targets associated with the heads of the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. Zhang emphasized that the PLA is always ready to deliver precise sanctions against the principal "Taiwan independence" criminals.

Several media outlets across the island of Taiwan dedicated special columns and scrolling news tickers to extensive coverage of the "Justice Mission 2025" exercises. Two hours after the PLA announced the start of the drills, DPP authorities reacted with a so-called "condemnation," issuing a routine statement claiming, "relevant authorities had obtained prior and comprehensive intelligence, made full preparations to ensure absolute security," and tried to reassure the public in Taiwan.

The defense authority of the Taiwan region claimed that it had activated an emergency response center and deployed forces in accordance with protocols to respond to the situation. It further released the "Resilient Taiwan. Steadfast Defense" video on overseas social media, displaying so-called combat readiness scenes of the three services. 

Chang Ching-sen, a former member of the island's executive body, published an article on overseas social media on Monday, claiming that the general public in Taiwan tends to label such military exercises as "a sham." However, he said the essence of a military exercise is never an expensive political ritual, but rather a "stress test" for war. 

Chang said the blueprint of the PLA's current drills has taken shape with alarming clarity, featuring two core elements. First, it is a "noose-style blockade": the operational scope is no longer limited to symbolic, isolated shows of force, but has evolved into a coordinated and interconnected blockade network, practicing the tactics to choke off the island's vital supply lines. Second, it is a "full-spectrum suppression": integrating naval and aerial assets with information and electronic warfare capabilities, the drills simulate high-intensity strikes in a non-declared state of war.

The PLA Eastern Theater Command released on-site footage of the military exercises under the theme "Closing In, Seizing Control, Blocking Escape" - a showcase of the PLA's comprehensive, encircling drills conducted in multiple operational zones, including the central part of the Taiwan Straits, as well as the air and sea spaces to the north, southwest and east of the island of Taiwan.

Zhang told the Global Times that the drills on Monday morning could be summarized with four key words.

The first keyword is "coverage." Participating forces conducted drills on fire coverage of and multi-wave strikes against targets including Taiwan military vessels and aircraft, missile positions, key naval ports, ammunition depots and logistical facilities. This demonstrates that all Taiwan military targets fall within the PLA's fire coverage and that we are capable of eliminating its war-fighting equipment and neutralizing its war potential at any time, Zhang said.

The second keyword is "blockade." Zhang explained that the participating forces practiced blockading and controlling major ports and shipping routes around the island of Taiwan, creating a posture of real combat and comprehensive blockade that isolates and besieges the island.

The third keyword is "precision strike." Upon the launch of the exercises, the participating forces swiftly carried out tracking, aiming, deterrence and strikes against relevant mobile targets on the island of Taiwan. The purpose is to leave no safe haven for the offensive weapons that the Taiwan military procures from external forces, exposing such arms to the threat of complete destruction at any moment, Zhang noted. "It can be said that no matter how many weapons you buy, we will destroy them all."

The fourth keyword is "decapitation strike." The exercises conducted simulated strikes against key symbolic targets associated with the ringleaders of the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. This signifies that the PLA has formidable capabilities to deliver precise sanctions against the principal "Taiwan independence" criminals whenever necessary, the expert added.