Beijing has built more structures resembling Taiwan’s key government buildings at its military base in Inner Mongolia, according to satellite images obtained by a Japanese think tank, a move that suggests more systematic training for a potential conflict across the strait.
Sankei Shimbun, a right-leaning Japanese newspaper, reported that an analysis of satellite images obtained on Wednesday by the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals found that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had completed a “mock Judicial Yuan” at the army’s Zhurihe training base.
The report said the structure was linked to a 280-metre (918-foot) underground tunnel and was beside a separate building resembling Taiwan’s presidential office, which was shown by mainland state media in 2015.
According to Sankei Shimbun, Beijing has in recent years built facilities at the base resembling the buildings of Taiwan’s foreign and defence ministries.
“With the additions, the mock presidential office building training area has expanded nearly threefold since 2020,” it said.
The report said satellite images from July 2022 showed the PLA setting up roadblocks at the mock leader’s office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs before armoured vehicles entered the area.
Images from August that year showed a “brigade-sized force training to engage in confrontations with a simulated enemy force guarding the presidential palace”, the report said, adding there were signs that similar training was still being conducted.
The Japanese newspaper quoted Maki Nakagawa, a researcher at the think tank, as saying Beijing had “rapidly renovated” the Zhurihe training base and implemented “combat-oriented training” there.
“The goal is to put pressure on Taiwan and warn it that even with the tunnels, there’s no escape route,” Nakagawa was quoted as saying.
Responding to the revelation, Taiwanese defence chief Wellington Koo told local media on Friday that Taipei was aware of the latest situation and had made preparations against a possible “decapitation operation”, but would not give details.
Cross-strait relations have remained tense since William Lai Ching-te succeeded Tsai Ing-wen as the self-ruled island’s leader last year, with Beijing frequently accusing the Lai administration of spreading lies and inciting cross-strait confrontation.
On Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping used his National Day address to stress that Beijing had to “firmly oppose separatist activities seeking ‘Taiwan independence’ and external interference and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
Taiwan has sought to strengthen its defences, including plans to increase its defence budget, against the backdrop of increased PLA activity around the island.
Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited, by force if necessary. Most countries, including the United States, do not recognise Taiwan as independent, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the island by force, and is committed to arming it for defence.
The PLA has long conducted exercises at the Zhurihe base, a massive military training facility 400km (250 miles) northwest of Beijing. It was set up to provide realistic battle conditions for PLA soldiers to improve their combat skills.
In 2015, state broadcaster CCTV aired footage of PLA soldiers taking part in a live-fire drill at the base and attacking a structure similar to Taiwan’s five-storey presidential office in Taipei.
Mainland leaders, including Xi, have said peaceful reunification remains the preferable option, but they have never renounced the use of force. The PLA has ramped up military training that simulates attacks on the island, with a documentary in August showing a wide range of amphibious tactics.
It is also not uncommon for the PLA to train with mock objects representing Taiwanese defences. In August, a mock US Himars rocket launcher was spotted in a mainland car park, only a year after the model was delivered to Taiwan. --- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
