The joint exercises launched by the People's Liberation Army around the Taiwan island on Tuesday have sent a very clear signal — a serious warning and a powerful deterrent to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, an international strategic expert with the PLA said on Tuesday.

Meng Xiangqing, a professor at the PLA National Defense University, made these remarks in an interview with China Daily, emphasizing that the exercises are a justified and necessary action to defend national sovereignty and maintain national unity, and are "reasonable, justifiable, and lawful".

He criticized Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te for defiantly labeling Chinese mainland as a "hostile external force", inciting anti-China sentiment, obstructing cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, and exacerbating tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

"These actions clearly show that individuals like Lai are unequivocal, thorough troublemakers, danger creators, and war instigators," he said.

"The actions once again expose the stubborn nature of 'Taiwan independence' advocates and plant significant war risks in the Taiwan Strait," Meng said.

According to the Eastern Theater Command, the joint exercises focus on subjects such as maritime and aerial combat readiness patrols, seizing comprehensive control, strikes on sea and land targets, and blockades of key areas and routes.

The professor added that comprehensive control includes command of the sea, air, land, and information.

"The purpose of these exercises is to test the joint operational capabilities of the theater's forces in real combat scenarios," he explained.

The Eastern Theater Command also released a poster titled Closing In, showing various warships and aircraft surrounding the island of Taiwan.

Meng said that the poster illustrates a situation where the theater command's warships and aircraft form an encirclement around the island.