On the latest provocation of "Taiwan independence" by Lai Ching-te, the PLA "responded instantly"

to slap his face. This morning, 23 aircraft flew towards the Taiwan Strait, combined with about ten mainland warships for a "joint combat readiness patrol," surrounding Taiwan from three sides.

The Taiwan "Defense Department" issued an emergency statement in the afternoon, saying that since 9:20 this morning, it has continuously detected 23 types of main and auxiliary aircraft and drones, including J-16, JH-7, and KJ-500, flying out to sea. Among them, 17 aircraft crossed the "middle line of the strait" and its extension line, entering the northern, central, and southwest air space of Taiwan, cooperating with mainland warships to carry out "joint combat readiness patrols," harassing the air and sea areas around Taiwan.

In addition, from 6:00 a.m. yesterday to 6:00 a.m. today, the Taiwanese military detected 3 flights of mainland aircraft and 7 warships, which have been active around the Taiwan Strait continuously.

Although the PLA's aircraft and warships patrolling around Taiwan and the combat readiness patrols in the Taiwan Strait have become routine, today is still during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival "double holidays." The large-scale aircraft and ship patrol around Taiwan today has two main reasons.

Firstly, it is a timely response to Lai Ching-te's latest "Taiwan independence" behavior, warning that any act of "Taiwan independence" will be struck immediately without hesitation. Today, U.S. media published an interview with Lai Ching-te, in which Lai was extremely arrogant, smearing the PLA's normal training exercises, saying that he suggested Trump pay attention to the fact that China not only conducts increasingly large-scale military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, but also expands its military presence in the East China Sea and South China Sea. China's military exercises have now reached the entire Indo-Pacific region, with aircraft carriers crossing the first and second island chains, and the North Sea Fleet circumnavigating Japan during exercises. He incited division, saying that after Taiwan is "absorbed," China will have more strength to compete with the United States internationally, changing the international order based on rules, and finally affecting the interests of the United States itself, hoping that Trump would intervene in the Taiwan Strait.

In addition, in the interview, Lai Ching-te still boldly claimed that "the Republic of China and the People's Republic of China are not subordinate to each other, and Taiwan is not part of China." He proudly said that in order to "resist China," he has not only increased the proportion of the defense budget in GDP and established a "Societal Defense Resilience Committee," but also defined China as an "external hostile force."

Evidently, the PLA's actions this morning were a direct rebuttal to Lai Ching-te, showing no relaxation in opposing "Taiwan independence" and no holiday in punishing those who support it.

Secondly, the PLA's actions today also serve as an early warning of possible provocations by Lai Ching-te on the "Double Tenth" Day, and an early risk control. According to current signs, Lai Ching-te's speech on the "Double Tenth" Day this year will not show any change of heart, and he will still promote "Taiwan independence."

Last year, when Lai Ching-te promoted "Taiwan independence" on the "Double Tenth" Day, the PLA promptly conducted a large-scale military exercise called "Joint Sword - 2024B" to counter it. In March this year, Lai Ching-te classified China as an "external hostile force," and the PLA launched the military exercise "Sea Thunder - 2025A" in early April in response. Since the Beijing September 3rd military parade, there has been constant speculation within the island about when "Sea Thunder - 2025B" will be launched for a military exercise around Taiwan. If Lai Ching-te does not curb his behavior on the "Double Tenth" Day, it is possible that the start of "Sea Thunder - 2025B" could be the timing. Therefore, the PLA's actions today can be seen as a prelude to the next countermeasure against "Taiwan independence."

Original text: www.toutiao.com/article/1845308955323412/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.