Eastern Theater Command conducts joint combat readiness patrol in East China Sea airspace and waters.

The Eastern Theater Command spokesperson stated that on April 18, the Eastern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army organized joint combat readiness patrols with naval and air forces in relevant sea and airspace of the East China Sea. This is a normal arrangement within the annual plan, aimed at testing the joint operational capabilities of the troops. The theater command forces will routinely organize relevant military operations based on security needs to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and regional peace and stability.

Eastern Theater Command

The Eastern Theater Command is one of five theater commands of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China, established in 2016 as part of a major military reorganization. Its primary responsibility is the defense and strategic direction of China’s eastern coast, including the Taiwan Strait area.

People’s Liberation Army

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is the armed forces of the People’s Republic of China. It was founded on August 1, 1927, during the Nanchang Uprising. Today, it is one of the world’s largest military forces, responsible for national defense and has undergone significant modernization.

East China Sea

The East China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean, bordered by China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Historically, it has been a vital maritime trade route for centuries. Today, it remains geopolitically significant due to territorial disputes over islands and resource exploration rights.

Taiwan Strait

The Taiwan Strait is a body of water separating the island of Taiwan from mainland China’s Fujian Province. It has been a vital maritime route for trade and migration, while also serving as a significant geopolitical and military focal point. Today, it remains a region of strategic importance.

Nanchang Uprising

The Nanchang Uprising, which began on August 1, 1927, was a pivotal armed revolt. It is celebrated as the founding event of the People’s Liberation Army.

Chinese Civil War

The Chinese Civil War was a prolonged conflict between the Chinese Communist Party and the Nationalist Party for control of China. It resulted in the establishment of the People’s Republic of China on the mainland, while the Nationalist Party retreated to Taiwan.

Silk Road

The Silk Road was an ancient network of trade routes connecting China with the Mediterranean. It facilitated the exchange of goods like silk and spices, while also enabling the spread of ideas, religions, and cultures across Eurasia.

Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands

The Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands are a group of uninhabited islets in the

Eastern Theater Command

The Eastern Theater Command is a major military region of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China, established in 2016 as part of a comprehensive military reform. It is responsible for strategic defense and operations in the eastern coastal region, including the Taiwan Strait area, and integrates the army, navy, air force, and rocket force for joint operations. Its historical roots can be traced to earlier military regions, such as the Nanjing Military Region, which had long been tasked with the defense of China’s eastern seaboard.

People’s Liberation Army

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is the armed forces of the People’s Republic of China and the military wing of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It was founded on August 1, 1927, during the Nanchang Uprising as the revolutionary army of the CCP, playing a central role in the Chinese Civil War. Today, it is one of the world’s largest military forces, responsible for national defense and has undergone significant modernization under the principle of the Party’s absolute leadership.

East China Sea

The East China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean, bordered by China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Historically, it has been a vital maritime trade route for centuries, notably for the ancient Silk Road sea lanes. Today, it remains geopolitically significant due to territorial disputes over islands and maritime boundaries.

Taiwan Strait

The Taiwan Strait is a body of water separating the island of Taiwan from mainland China’s Fujian Province. Historically, it has been a vital maritime route for trade and migration, while also serving as a significant geopolitical and military focal point, particularly since the mid-20th century.

Nanchang Uprising

The Nanchang Uprising, which began on August 1, 1927, in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province, was a pivotal armed revolt led by the Chinese Communist Party against the Nationalist government. It is celebrated as the founding event of the People’s Liberation Army, marking the Party’s independent leadership in the revolutionary armed struggle. Today, the Nanchang Uprising Memorial Hall commemorates this significant moment in China’s revolutionary history.

Chinese Civil War

The Chinese Civil War was a prolonged conflict (1927-1949, with a pause during WWII) primarily between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Nationalist Party (Kuomintang, or KMT) for control of China. It resulted in the CCP’s victory in 1949, establishing the People’s Republic of China on the mainland, while the KMT retreated to Taiwan, creating a lasting political division.

Silk Road

The Silk Road was an ancient network of trade routes connecting China to the Mediterranean, active from roughly the 2nd century BCE to the 14th century CE. It facilitated the exchange of goods like silk, spices, and technologies, while also enabling the spread of ideas, religions, and cultures across Eurasia. Its legacy lies in profoundly shaping the civilizations and intercultural connections along its path.

Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands

The Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands are a group of uninhabited islets in the East China Sea administered by Japan but claimed by both Japan and the People’s Republic of China (as well as Taiwan). Historically, Japan incorporated the islands in 1895, while China asserts a much older historical claim dating back centuries. The dispute remains a significant point of regional tension, involving sovereignty and maritime resource rights.