PLA conducts patrols and exercises near Taiwan

The People's Liberation Army Eastern Theater Command carried out patrols and combat exercises on Sunday in the air and waters near Taiwan, according to a command spokesman.

Senior Colonel Shi Yi said late on Sunday night in a brief news release that forces conducted strikes on land targets and amphibious assaults during the exercises.

The operation was intended to test the forces' inter-service combat capability and fight against the provocations from foreign parties and the Taiwan secessionist force, according to him.

This is the second time that the command has conducted exercises near Taiwan in the past month.

On Dec 25, the command mobilized its air and naval forces to perform inter-service patrols and live-fire exercises in the air and waters near Taiwan in a response to the provocations by the United States and the island's authority.