In a significant display of military readiness, China has aired a documentary commemorating the 96th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army. The documentary portrays China's preparedness to engage in combat "at any second," serving as a stern warning to Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory. The film highlights Chinese soldiers pledging their willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice if required. This move has added further tension to the already sensitive cross-strait relations, drawing international attention and concern.

A recently aired eight-part documentary titled 'Zhu Meng' or 'Chasing Dreams' has been making headlines. The first part of the documentary was broadcasted on China's state broadcaster CCTV.

According to a report from the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the documentary features the pilot of China's most advanced stealth fighter jet, expressing a vow to carry out a suicide attack if the situation demands it. This revelation has added to the intensity of the documentary, drawing attention to China's military preparedness and its stance on potential conflict, particularly concerning Taiwan. The airing of such content is likely to raise concerns and scrutiny from the international community.

“My fighter would be my last missile, rushing towards the enemy if in a real battle I had used up all my ammunition,” said Li Peng as quoted by SCMP. Reportedly, Li Peng serves as a J-20 pilot in Wang Hai Squadron, which operates under the PLA's Eastern Theatre Command.

The Eastern Theatre Command holds a crucial position as China's primary force tasked with potential actions concerning Taiwan. China firmly considers Taiwan to be an integral part of its territory and has not discarded the possibility of utilizing force to reclaim the self-governing island nation. As a part of this approach, Chinese drones and fighter jets routinely breach Taiwan's Air Defence Zone (ADZ), contributing to the already heightened tensions in the region.

“If war broke out and the conditions were too difficult to safely remove the naval mines in actual combat, we will use our own bodies to clear a safe pathway for our landing forces,” says ZuoFeng, a frogman of the PLA Navy’s minesweeper unit, in the documentary as quoted by SCMP.

The documentary reportedly encompasses personal accounts of PLA soldiers from various services and locations, along with footage of military exercises. It reinforces the importance of achieving the PLA's centennial goal, seemingly alluding to Taiwan.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the documentary series provides a limited glimpse into PLA's operational maneuvers, including strategies for gaining air superiority, suppressing information technology, and asserting control over the sea before an amphibious attack.

Notably, the documentary features segments on Joint Sword, a military exercise conducted in proximity to Taiwan. This exercise occurred in April during Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen's visit to the United States. The inclusion of such content in the documentary signifies China's strategic approach and readiness concerning Taiwan-related matters.

Image source: South China Morning Post