Mainland China airs documentary signalling military preparation for Taiwan attack and willingness to sacrifice
- Chasing Dreams programme marks PLA’s 96th anniversary with eight-part series showing readiness to fight ‘at any second’
- A stealth fighter jet pilot and a navy frogman among PLA personnel shown pledging to lay their lives on the line for reunification
In one instance, a pilot in one of the PLA’s most advanced stealth fighter jets vows to launch a suicide attack if necessary.
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“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, a J-20 pilot from Wang Hai Squadron, an ace unit under the PLA Eastern Theatre Command that serves as the mainland’s primary force against Taiwan.
Zuo Feng, a frogman of the PLA Navy’s minesweeper unit, echoes the sentiment.
“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,” Zuo said.
The documentary features the personal stories of dozens of PLA soldiers across different services and locations, shows footage of military exercises, especially around Taiwan, and reiterates “the centennial goal of the PLA must be realised”.