To mark the 96th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army of China, the Chinese government has released a military documentary on its state broadcaster demonstrating the People’s Republic’s willingness to invade Taiwan. This is reported by the Associated Press (AP) news agency, among others.
The eight-part series, which translates to “Chasing Dreams,” features military exercises of all kinds, including the “Joint Sword” exercise in which the Chinese army encircles Taiwan. The Navy had already carried out the maneuver in April 2023 in response to the visit of the Taiwanese President to the USA. AP also reports footage of the aircraft carrier Shandong cruising into the Strait between China and Taiwan with other military ships. The ship has crossed the unofficial border in the sea between mainland China and the Pacific island several times in recent months.
In addition to the military exercises, the documentary mainly shows soldiers who are willing to sacrifice their lives in a possible invasion. “If war broke out and conditions were too difficult to safely remove sea mines in combat, we would use our own bodies to clear a safe path for our troops,” a frogman with the mine clearance squad said in the documentary, according to the AP. An Air Force pilot announced that his fighter jet would be “the last missile that would fly towards the enemy” once he had used up his ammunition in the event of war. According to the Hong Kong daily South China Morning Post, which is blocked on mainland China, soldiers were also seen singing songs about China’s patrols around Taiwan. A member of the amphibious command also said he would “like to go to the other side of the strait”. He prepared himself for this day.
Taiwan is an independent, democratically governed island in the Pacific Ocean. However, the People’s Republic of China claims the country and has already threatened a violent takeover. Tensions between the two countries had escalated after Taiwan intensified its relationship with the United States in recent months.
Quellen: Associated Press, “The Guardian”, “South China Morning Post”
