China’s release of images reinforces vow to keep Taiwan as a territory

China’s military put out a strong message on Taiwan, vowing to “safeguard the territory of our motherland.”

The PLA air force released a promotional video and commemorative envelopes, recapping its recent flights over China’s island of Taiwan.

The video was released in multiple languages including English, Japanese and Chinese dialects such as Minnan (southern Fujian) and Cantonese. The background music features several widely known Chinese patriotic songs.

The video is to let Chinese people of all ethnic groups, especially compatriots in Taiwan and overseas Chinese, understand that not a single inch of China will ever be separated from the motherland, according to the air force. “It is the sacred duty of any PLA pilot to safeguard the territory of our motherland,” reads the text on the envelopes, which feature pictures of PLA warplanes and pilots on flights near Taiwan.
The inscription on the envelopes reads, “Taiwan, the Treasure Island, is harbored by our motherland. The motherland will always be in our heart. It is the sacred duty of any PLA pilot to safeguard the territory of our motherland.”

A long history of confrontation

The PLA air force flights are just the latest PLA military exercises in the vicinity of Taiwan.

Earlier in April, the PLA Navy sent the aircraft carrier Liaoning and its battle group for live-fire drills in the East China Sea.

Last week, the PLA touted the deployment of DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missiles with its Rocket Forces.

The missiles can hit targets on land and at sea, China’s Ministry of Defense said.
A story from state-sanctioned Global Times posted on the PLA’s English-language website said the deployment should be seen as “part of the country’s warning to Taiwan secessionists” and their supporters in the US.

The Kootneeti Team - Indo-Pacific