Mainland China Sends Strong Signals of Military Preparation for Taiwan Attack and Willingness to Sacrifice

Beijing, China– Mainland China has recently aired an eight-part documentary series titled “Zhu Meng” or “Chasing Dreams,” which features People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers pledging their readiness to sacrifice themselves for the reunification of Taiwan with China. The documentary was broadcast on state broadcaster CCTV to commemorate the 96th anniversary of the PLA and aims to showcase the military’s preparedness to engage in conflict “at any second.”

The series highlights the personal stories of numerous PLA soldiers from various services and locations. Among them, a pilot of the PLA’s advanced stealth fighter jet, J-20, named Li Peng, vows to carry out a suicide attack if required in a real battle scenario where all ammunition has been depleted. Li Peng, belonging to the ace unit Wang Hai Squadron under the PLA Eastern Theatre Command, plays a significant role in the mainland’s primary force against Taiwan.

The documentary also features Zuo Feng, a frogman from the PLA Navy’s minesweeper unit, who expresses a similar sentiment. Zuo declares that if faced with conditions too perilous to safely remove naval mines during combat, they are prepared to use their own bodies to create a secure pathway for their landing forces.

The program offers a glimpse into the PLA’s operational strategies, including seizing air superiority, sea control, and suppressing information technology before executing an amphibious landing. It particularly focuses on the Joint Sword exercise conducted around Taiwan in April, which was a show of force in response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s visit to the United States.

The PLA’s aggressive stance towards Taiwan stems from Beijing’s view of the self-governing island as a breakaway province, with an insistence on retaining the option to use force to reclaim it. The escalating cross-strait tensions and strained relations between China and the United States have raised concerns about a potential conflict over Taiwan.

While some experts, such as former US Indo-Pacific Command chief Philip Davidson, have suggested that the PLA may make a move towards Taiwan by 2027, the documentary’s airing could serve as a warning and a display of China’s military capabilities to the world, including the United States.

Military commentator Song Zhongping emphasized that the documentary’s intent was to demonstrate the PLA’s confidence against Taiwan’s defense force, while also conveying messages to the United States about China’s military preparedness and determination in the region. The situation remains closely monitored by the international community as tensions continue to simmer in the region.