BEIJING, April 2 — The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has initiated a series of military drills around Taiwan, termed a necessary and legitimate response to perceived threats to national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, characterized these maneuvers as just actions to punish and deter attempts at secession, emphasizing the intention to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

The spokesperson addressed statements from the U.S. White House, asserting that the Taiwan issue constitutes an internal matter for China that does not permit foreign interference.

Zhu underscored the importance of adherence to the one-China principle and the three joint communiques between China and the United States.

In a separate briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun reiterated that the military exercises are integral to defending national interests, refuting accusations from the United States, the European Union, and Japan that criticized the PLA's actions.

Guo stated that such countries should respect China's sovereignty, adhere to international consensus regarding the one-China principle, and refrain from supporting separatist moves that undermine regional stability.

These drills, including the deployment of the Shandong aircraft carrier to simulate strikes on ground and maritime targets east of Taiwan, are viewed as tactical demonstrations of the PLA's capabilities.

Defense spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang articulated that the exercises are designed to enhance combat readiness and signal a firm stance against any efforts towards 'Taiwan independence.' Zhang warned that provocations foster tensions between the two sides of the Strait, stating that those seeking independence pose risks to their own outcomes.

The PLA Eastern Theater Command formally announced the successful completion of the exercises, which included long-range live-fire drills and operations under the code name 'Strait Thunder-2025A.' These exercises tested integrated joint operation capabilities and precision strike abilities against simulated key infrastructure targets in the East China Sea, a strategic region crucial to China's national defense.

As part of the ongoing military preparations, the PLA remains in a state of high alert, indicating resolute intentions to confront separatist activities and foreign interferences.

The military activities arise in the context of increasing geopolitical tensions surrounding Taiwan, with international players actively monitoring the developments.