Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on the country’s troops to enhance their preparedness for war, according to state media reports on Saturday. This directive came shortly after China conducted large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, further intensifying regional tensions.
During a visit to a brigade of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force on Thursday, Xi emphasized the importance of strengthening combat training and readiness. State-run broadcaster CCTV reported that Xi urged the military to “comprehensively strengthen training and preparation for war” and ensure troops have “solid combat capabilities.” He further stressed the need for soldiers to improve their “strategic deterrent and combat capability.”
China’s increased military activity around Taiwan has been a growing concern in recent years. On Monday, Beijing deployed a variety of military assets, including fighter jets, drones, warships, and coast guard vessels, to encircle the self-ruled island. This was the fourth round of large-scale war games China has conducted around Taiwan in just over two years.
China considers Taiwan part of its territory and has not ruled out the possibility of using force to bring the island under its control. Xi reiterated that the military must be prepared to “strongly safeguard the country’s strategic security and core interests.”
The roots of the China-Taiwan dispute trace back to the Chinese civil war in 1949 when Chiang Kai-shek’s nationalist forces fled to Taiwan after being defeated by Mao Zedong’s communists. Since then, China and Taiwan have been governed separately, but Beijing continues to assert its claim over the island.
Xi’s recent comments underscore the growing tensions in the region, as Beijing continues to flex its military muscle around Taiwan while asserting its strategic interests.
