China’s Hype Video for Mass Taiwan Attack Flexes Missile Forces

“Destroy the pillars of Taiwan independence! Attack the bases of Taiwan independence! Cut off the blood flow of Taiwan independence!” the People’s Liberation Army branch wrote in the video.

The video shows animated missiles, described as “weapons that kill independence,” raining down on 3D maps of Taipei, Hualien and Kaohsiung before disappearing into GIF images of fireballs.

The video is one of the toughest public messages China has issued yet about its missile capabilities in the Taiwan situation.

China’s missile capabilities have developed rapidly in recent years, alarming U.S. officials who are now scrutinizing its arsenal and assets. Of greatest concern to the Pentagon is the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force and its ability to strike targets deep in the Indo-Pacific.

The PLA would not need long-range missiles to attack Taiwan, which is separated from the mainland by a 110-mile strait. But at least some PLA brigades operate with or under the command of the Eastern Theater Command, and Primarily equipped with short- and medium-range missilesThey are also believed to possess the Dong Feng-21 hypersonic missile, nicknamed the “aircraft carrier killer.”

Taiwan recognizes the threat of Chinese missiles, Preparation US-made Patriot missiles.

Friday’s missile footage was released to coincide with a series of joint Chinese live-fire drills around Taiwan that began on Thursday and are the largest of their kind near the self-ruled island region in more than a year.

Chinese officials said the two-day “Joint Sword” exercise involved coordinated land, naval, air and missile forces as a “punishment” for “separatist” acts of terrorism in Taiwan.

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said Beijing had sent 33 aircraft, 16 coast guard vessels and 15 navy ships.

The drills came three days after Lai Ching-te, leader of Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party, was sworn in as president of the island. Lai and his party ruled the island under former President Tsai Ing-wen, but Chinese officials are outraged that Taipei is approaching the red line of declaring independence.

Tensions between Taipei and Beijing have been rising since Lai’s election in January.

Two months later, China Defense spending to increase by 7.2% This year, it increased the amount to $230 billion, declaring it would deter “separatist activities” in Taiwan.