PLA launches air, sea exercises off Taiwan
The People’s Liberation Army on Saturday launched joint air and sea patrols and military exercises around Taiwan, state media reported, in what a military spokesperson said was a “stern warning” to separatists on the island.  The exercises involved the navy and air force and are meant to train coordination of military vessels and aircraft to improve their ability to seize control of air and sea spaces, the Xinhua news agency quoted  Eastern Theatre Command spokesperson Shi Yi as saying. “The armed forces' ability to fight in real combat conditions will be tested,” Xinhua quoted Shi as saying, adding that “the patrols and exercises serve as a stern warning to the collusion of ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists with foreign elements and their provocations.”