China says it carried out beach landing drills in province opposite Taiwan | Inquirer News

China says it carried out beach landing drills in province opposite Taiwan

/ 09:15 PM October 11, 2021

China says it carried out beach landing drills in province opposite Taiwan

FILE PHOTO: The sun sets over China’s southeastern coast of Fujian as seen from Taiwan’s frontline island of Kinmen on September 11, 2004. REUTERS/Richard Chung

BEIJING China’s military said on Monday it had carried out beach landing and assault drills in the province directly across the sea from Taiwan, though it did not link the exercises to current tensions with Taipei.

Democratically ruled Taiwan, claimed by China as its own territory, has complained of stepped-up military and political pressure from Beijing to force it to accept Chinese rule, including massed air force incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone.

Article continues after this advertisement

The official People’s Liberation Army Daily newspaper, in a brief report on its Weibo microblogging account, said the drills had been carried out “in recent days” in the southern part of Fujian province.

FEATURED STORIES

The action had involved “shock” troops, sappers, and boat specialists, the Chinese military newspaper added. The troops were “divided into multiple waves to grab the beach and perform combat tasks at different stages,” it added, without providing further details.

It showed a video of soldiers in small boats storming a beach, throwing smoke grenades, breaking through barbed wire defenses, and digging trenches in the sand.

Article continues after this advertisement

The drills appeared to involve a small number of troops.

Article continues after this advertisement

The weather was clear and the seas were calm – suggesting the drill did not happen on Monday as southern Fujian is currently being affected by a tropical storm passing between Taiwan and the Philippines.

Article continues after this advertisement

Fujian would be a key launching site for any Chinese invasion of Taiwan due to its geographical proximity.

China routinely carries out military exercises up and down its coast as well as in the disputed South China Sea.

Article continues after this advertisement

Taiwan has denounced what it calls China’s coercive tactics against it and says it will defend itself if attacked.

Over the weekend, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated a vow to “reunify” Taiwan, and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said Taiwan will not be forced to bow to China.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: China, Conflict, Diplomacy, Military, Security, Taiwan

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.