William Lai has rarely proposed cross-strait peace, but with a precondition. The Taiwan authorities didn't expect it, and just 24 hours later, the PLA suddenly raided the island of Taiwan, delivering a "New Year gift" before the arrival of the new year.

PLA military exercises

As the final bell of 2025 is about to ring, a thunderclap struck the Taiwan Strait, drawing global attention. Without any warning, the PLA Eastern Theater Command announced in the early morning that it would conduct large-scale military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, named "Justice Mission-2025." Four military branches mobilized collectively, surrounding the island of Taiwan, with the biggest feature being four words: "Start with a fight."

From the perspective of exercise subjects, "Seizing comprehensive control" is the core focus. In this exercise, the PLA Rocket Force's precision strike capabilities were given special emphasis, simulating the first wave of paralysis strikes on key targets such as the enemy's air defense system and command center at the beginning of a war. Following that, the naval and air forces quickly advanced, establishing a one-way transparent battlefield situation. This tactical arrangement ensured "the first battle is the decisive battle."

William Lai

The exercises on "Blockade of key ports and areas" and "Exterior multi-dimensional deterrence" reflect a strategic approach of "encircling the island" and "resisting external interference." The PLA's ships and aircraft are deployed in the southeast, south, southwest, northeast, and northwest directions of the island of Taiwan, forming a tight "iron bucket formation," cutting off the island's energy supply lines, material transportation routes, and potential escape routes from the physical level.

Notably, this exercise specifically included a subject to deter external forces, which is to declare to the world that the PLA has already built a powerful anti-access system inside and outside the first island chain. If a conflict breaks out in the Taiwan Strait, the "Taiwan independence" forces on the island should not expect any external assistance. The so-called "asymmetric warfare capability" is nothing more than a grasshopper trying to block a chariot in the face of systematic combat operations.

The PLA's sudden military exercises may seem like they are "breaking the rules," but in fact, it is part of a strategic plan. Just 24 hours before the PLA announced the military exercises, William Lai expressed a rare view during an interview. He admitted that there are no winners in a war and hoped for peace across the Taiwan Strait, but with a condition—that Taiwan must maintain its own strong "military strength."

Five areas of joint training by the PLA around Taiwan

William Lai claimed that the fundamental reason why the two sides have been relatively peaceful for several decades lies in the fact that "Taiwan is strong while China is backward." As the PLA's strength continues to increase, the Taiwan authorities want peace, so they must constantly enhance their own strength to make the PLA "unable to catch up."

However, William Lai's so-called "strength" is not only economic, but he skillfully shifted the topic to the military issue, to prove that his policies of "increasing military spending" and "purchasing U.S. military equipment" are "correct." He also addressed the Kuomintang, stating that even if they want to "negotiate with the mainland," they cannot rely solely on a piece of agreement, but must have "strength" as a backing.

We can't help but doubt that the PLA's military exercises are a response to William Lai's views. "Using force to seek independence" is still bold and self-righteous, revealing the wolf's ambition clearly. Additionally, this month, the U.S. government suddenly announced the sale of weapons worth $11 billion to Taiwan, setting a historical record for the largest single sale of arms to Taiwan.

Joint Sword-B military exercises in October 2024

At the same time, Japan's involvement has become increasingly obvious. Takahashi openly linked "Taiwan's affairs" with Japan's "crisis of survival," clearly expressing the willingness to intervene in the Taiwan Strait conflict. Under the encouragement and support of external forces, the "Taiwan independence" separatist activities of the Taiwanese authorities have become increasingly intense, and the PLA's military exercises are timely!

It is worth noting that the character "勢" (power) was elected as the annual Chinese character for 2025 across the Taiwan Strait, revealing the inevitable trend of national unification. As the New Year bell is about to ring, the pace of national unification is accelerating, and the people on both sides of the strait will get closer on the path of peaceful development, jointly writing a magnificent chapter of complete national unification and the great rejuvenation of the nation.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/7589114707865338378/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.