Chinese State Media Releases New Documentary On Army's Ability To Attack Taiwan

China has recently unveiled a new documentary that focuses on the army's preparations and ability to potentially attack Taiwan.

The documentary, titled "Chasing Dreams", consists of eight parts and was broadcasted by state broadcaster CCTV to commemorate the 96th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

It showcases military drills and includes testimonials from numerous soldiers, some of whom express their readiness to sacrifice their lives if necessary in an attack against Taiwan.

China considers Taiwan, a self-governed democracy, as its own territory and has not ruled out the use of force to bring it under its control. This aggressive stance is reflected in the rhetoric used by Beijing against the island nation.

The Chinese state media and the PLA frequently release propaganda materials to promote the modernisation of the army. These materials often include sleek videos showcasing military drills, further emphasising China's military strength.

The materials and videos circulating in China aim to fuel Chinese nationalism and demonstrate military confidence in relation to Taiwan and its connections with the United States.

Although the US does not officially recognise Taiwan as a sovereign country, it has made a commitment to assist the island in defending itself against any potential invasion.

In recent news, the White House announced a military aid package worth $345 million for Taiwan. This decision, which was seen as drawing lessons from the US military assistance provided to Ukraine, received criticism from Beijing.

One of the highlights of the documentary titled "Chasing Dreams" was the demonstration of the PLA's "Joint Sword" drills, which simulated precise strikes against Taiwan. These exercises took place around the self-governed island in April, following a visit by Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen to the US.

An intriguing aspect of the programme is the commitment made by soldiers from various divisions of the PLA to sacrifice their lives in the event of an attack on Taiwan. This pledge adds a dramatic element to the overall narrative.

"In the event of war, if it becomes too dangerous to remove naval mines during combat, our frogmen would risk their own lives to create a safe path for our landing forces," explained Zuo Feng, a member of the minesweeper unit in the PLA Navy.

Li Peng, a pilot in the Wang Hai Squadron of the PLA Air Force, shared a similar sentiment, stating that in a real battle, his fighter jet would be the final missile launched at the enemy if he had exhausted all his ammunition.

Fan Lizhong, a commander in the special tactics unit, acknowledged the pain of losing comrades but emphasised the importance of remaining calm and prepared to respond to emergencies and engage in combat.

The documentary also showcases the Shandong, one of China's three aircraft carriers, sailing in formation alongside several other warships.

The PLA has been sending Shandong to the Taiwan Strait multiple times in recent months, posing a threat to Taiwan.

Additionally, PLA jets have frequently crossed the informal median line between China and Taiwan, particularly in response to interactions between Taiwan and the US that have "provoked" Beijing.