China has stepped up pressure on Taiwan in recent months. Credit: Kevin Fryer/Getty Images
China has released an eight-part documentary about its military's readiness to attack Taiwan, showing soldiers promising to die invading the island if need be.
First edition of «B Chasing the Dream” was broadcast by the state broadcaster CCTV on Tuesday to commemorate the 96th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army of China.
It features footage of military exercises, especially around Taiwan, and dramatic testimonies from dozens of soldiers.
Some said they were willing to lay down their lives to take over the island.
“My fighter jet would be my last missile heading for the enemy if I used up all my ammunition in a real fight,” said a man named Li Peng, a pilot from the Wang Hai Squadron of the Eastern Theater Command, who is in charge of conducting operations. in the Taiwan Strait.
Chinese fighter pilot of Chinese People's Liberation Army Eastern Command Credit & Copyright: Mei Shaoquan/Xinhua < p>The series comes amid Beijing's moves to increase pressure on democratic Taiwan, which seceded from China in 1949 after the end of the civil war in the country, including through frequent military exercises.
The ruling Communist Party promised to «unify the island with mainland China, using force if necessary. Taiwan, which has its own government, currency and military, says only its 23 million people can decide the island's future.
Fear grows
Fears of a possible Chinese attack have been heightened by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, while Russian troops were able to enter Ukraine by land, China and Taiwan are separated by the 180-mile-wide Taiwan Strait.
Showcasing China's naval prowess, the documentary shows China's aircraft carrier Shandong sailing in formation with several other warships.
The ship has made regular visits to the Taiwan Strait in recent months. According to Taiwanese analysts, this is tantamount to scare tactics.
According to the South China Morning Post, the show also shows a People's Liberation Army Airborne Assault Team practicing an attack on the beach under air cover from fighter jets, land-based and ship-based missiles.
Taiwan continues to prepare for a Chinese invasion. Photo: Yi-Hwa Cheng/Bloomberg
«I would like to go and see the other side of the Strait,» said Wang Xinjie, a member of the air assault team. «I've been preparing for this day.»
Zuo Feng, a Navy minesweeper squad diver, meanwhile told the documentary that he was ready to use his body to destroy the defenses.
«If war breaks out and conditions are too difficult to safely remove naval mines in actual combat, we will use our own bodies to clear a safe path for our [amphibious] forces,» he said.
Joint Sword
The program also featured the «Joint Sword» of the Chinese military. exercises around Taiwan, simulating pinpoint strikes on the island. The exercise follows Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the United States in April.
Beijing has steadily increased military activity around Taiwan in recent years.
Taiwan's defense ministry said Sunday it had detected 20 Chinese military aircraft around the island, including 10 that crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial border long considered a buffer between the two sides, or entered its southwest air defense identification zone. zone.
The ministry said the aircraft were conducting joint combat patrols with five Chinese naval vessels.
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