East China - April 2, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of military vehicles moving on road
2. Various of missile being erected

Beijing, China - April 2, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
3. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Meng Xiangqing, professor, PLA National Defense University:
"After Lai Ching-te took office, he stubbornly pursued Taiwan separatism, brazenly challenged the one-China principle, tied the Taiwan people to the war chariot of separatism, and pushed Taiwan towards the danger of military conflict. Lai is an out-and-out troublemaker, a real danger maker, and a ruthless war maker."

East China - April 2, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
4. Various of fighter-bombers taking off

Beijing, China - April 2, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
5. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Meng Xiangqing, professor, PLA National Defense University:
"The exercises are intended to form a pattern of joint control, joint planning for assault, joint containment and joint obstruction. Joint control means that the PLA and the coast guard would work together to conduct law-enforcement patrols and control in waters around the Taiwan island in accordance with the one-China principle. Joint planning for assault involves multi-service and multi-direction air interception, sea attacks and land strikes. Joint containment is to contain and precisely attack key buildings. Joint obstruction is to use powerful weapons to prevent Taiwan secessionists from fleeing and prevent external aid from entering the island."

East China - April 2, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
6. Various of rocket launchers firing at targets

Beijing, China - April 2, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
7. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Meng Xiangqing, professor, PLA National Defense University:
"The exercises are meant to deter Taiwan separatist forces with thunderous actions and express the hope that the people of Taiwan will fully recognize the deceptive, demagogic and dangerous words and deeds of Taiwan separatist forces and resolutely draw a clear line with them."

East China - April 2, 2025 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
8. Various of rocket launchers firing at targets, leaving trail of smoke

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has demonstrated its firm determination and strong confidence to thwart the attempt of any form of external forces and Taiwan secessionists, with high-intensity military exercises serving as a stern warning and forceful deterrent, a military expert said Wednesday.

Following the organization of its army, navy, air and rocket forces to conduct joint exercises around the Taiwan island on Tuesday, the PLA Eastern Theater Command conducted military exercises code-named "Strait Thunder-2025A" in the middle and southern areas of the Taiwan Strait on Wednesday.

Meng Xiangqing, a professor at the PLA National Defense University, said the joint drills meant a severe punishment for Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te's rampant provocations for separatism.

"After Lai Ching-te took office, he stubbornly pursued Taiwan separatism, brazenly challenged the one-China principle, tied the Taiwan people to the war chariot of separatism, and pushed Taiwan towards the danger of military conflict. Lai is an out-and-out troublemaker, a real danger maker, and a ruthless war maker," Meng said.

The more Taiwan secessionist forces provoke, the stronger the punishment will be put on them, Meng said.

"The exercises are intended to form a pattern of joint control, joint planning for assault, joint containment and joint obstruction. Joint control means that the PLA and the coast guard would work together to conduct law-enforcement patrols and control in waters around the Taiwan island in accordance with the one-China principle. Joint planning for assault involves multi-service and multi-direction air interception, sea attacks and land strikes. Joint containment is to contain and precisely attack key buildings. Joint obstruction is to use powerful weapons to prevent Taiwan secessionists from fleeing and prevent external aid from entering the island," he said.

The military expert said the "Strait Thunder-2025A" exercises formed a psychological deterrent to Taiwan separatist forces.

"The exercises are meant to deter Taiwan separatist forces with thunderous actions and express the hope that the people of Taiwan will fully recognize the deceptive, demagogic and dangerous words and deeds of Taiwan separatist forces and resolutely draw a clear line with them," Meng said.