Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesman of the Eastern Warfare Zone, said that on December 25, the PLA organized joint combat readiness police patrols and joint fire strike drills in the sea and air space around Bitai Island in the Eastern Warfare Zone. This is a firm response to the current US Taiwan escalation provocation. The theater forces will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity. (Liu Xinshe)