SHANGHAI, April 1. /TASS/. The Chinese People's Liberation Army has started large-scale military drills around the island of Taiwan, Eastern Theater Command Spokesman Senior Colonel Shi Yi reported.

According to his statement posted on the PLA Eastern Theater Command’s WeChat page, the drill involves land and missile forces, the navy and the air force.

"This is a serious warning and a powerful deterrent for separatist forces favoring Taiwan's independence," Shi Yi said.

The spokesman noted that the Chinese army is practicing taking comprehensive control, blocking key routes and areas.

"The drill practices combat patrols at sea, taking comprehensive control, strikes at sea and on land, and blocking key routes and areas," Shi Yi said in a statement.

The drill aims to test the real capabilities of the combat command area, the spokesman added.