China appears to send a new warning to Taiwan after releasing footage of its army tanks engaging in a simulated street battle during a recent urban warfare exercise.
In a video released by state broadcaster CCTV, the Chinese battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are seen rolling past the streets, a mock invasion reported by Taiwanese media as a threat to the self-ruled island.
The combat, between an invading ‘red’ team and its opposing ‘blue’ force, was conducted by the Eastern Theatre Command, the army responsible for defending China on the Taiwan Straits.
The clip comes at a time of high tension between the two sides, with Beijing stepping up military exercises near Taiwan this year, flying fighter jets on an almost daily basis towards the island.
The Chinese battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles are seen in footage rolling past the streets, a mock invasion reported by Taiwanese media as a threat to the self-ruled island
China appears to send a new warning to Taiwan after releasing footage of its army tanks engaging in a simulated street battle during a recent urban warfare exercise (pictured)
China regards democratic Taiwan as a rebel province and has vowed to one day seize the self-ruled island.
The tensions between Beijing and Taipei have reached a boiling point this year, clashing over a number of issues on territory disputes, human rights and relations with the US.
China’s propaganda machine also has been boasting about its military capabilities, churning out videos of its armed forces conducting live-fire drills.
In a clip published by CCTV in October, troops from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) are seen simulating an attack on an unidentified island during a large-scale military exercise, a move believed to be a warning to Taiwan.
The latest footage was aired as a documentary last Thursday by CCTV’s military channel, featuring the Type 96A main tanks and ZBD-04 infantry fighting vehicles engaging in mock street combat.
The latest footage was aired as a documentary last Thursday by CCTV featuring the Type 96A main tanks and ZBD-04 infantry fighting vehicles engaging in mock street combat
During the drill, the invading ‘red’ force of 230 soldiers equipped with 30 tanks was tasked to seize a city complex defended by a ‘blue’ team of 70 troops and six tanks, according to CCTV
During the drill, the invading ‘red’ force of 230 soldiers equipped with 30 tanks was tasked to seize a city complex defended by a ‘blue’ team of 70 troops and six tanks.
The red army eventually declared a ‘resounding victory after seizing the urban block within three hours, according to CCTV.
The exercise is said to be conducted by the PLA’s 72nd Group of the Eastern Theatre Command in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province of eastern China.
The infantry unit and the 73rd Group Army are believed to be the main force which would be used in China’s potential attacks on Taiwan.
The mock street combat has been reported by Taiwanese media as a simulated attack against the self-ruled island, another threat from Beijing amid its growing tensions with Taipei.
The mock street combat has been reported by Taiwanese media as a simulated attack against the self-ruled island, another threat from Beijing amid its growing tensions with Taipei
In a report about the CCTV footage by the Taiwanese TV station TVBS, the island’s defence ministry spokesperson said they are closely watching the Chinese military’s every move.
‘Taiwan’s military intelligence is aware of all Chinese troop deployments and mobilizations,’ General Alan Shih told the outlet.
‘The Chinese Communist Party has never scaled back its verbal and military threats. Taiwan’s military will continue to improve its defence capabilities,’ he added.
Beijing has ratcheted up pressure on the democratic island since the 2016 election of President Tsai Ing-wen, who rejects its view that Taiwan is part of ‘one China’.
Washington’s increased outreach to Taiwan under President Donald Trump has become yet another flashpoint with Beijing, as the US and China clash over a range of trade and security issues, as well as the coronavirus pandemic.