‘Dad’s Army’ map of how to conquer Taiwan released by China

At the same time, China surrounds its neighbour with battleships and aircraft in simulated invasion

China has released a Dad’s Army-style animated map of a future takeover of Taiwan, while surrounding its islands with battleships and aircraft in a simulated invasion.
The wargames on Monday were designed to show how the Communist Party’s military could encircle the country and fend off its allies.
At the same time, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) released propaganda videos, in a show of strength amid escalating tensions with Taiwan’s government.
One video showed how the PLA might seize control on a fanciful animated map, with icons of troops, aircraft, navy and missiles resembling the opening titles of Dad’s Army, the 1970s sitcom.
The final 20 seconds of the animation depicted a red fist, a hammer, and a sword that penetrated the map of Taiwan, with a sea of blood underneath.
Democratically governed Taiwan, which China views as its own territory, had been on alert for war games off its coast since last week’s National Day speech by its president.
Beijing condemned the address, in which Lai Ching-te said it had no right to represent Taiwan – but also offered to increase co-operation between the two governments.
The videos China released also contained text criticising Mr Lai’s speech, which promoted a “two nations” theory.
Taiwan’s defence ministry said the speech highlighted the current state of cross-strait relations and advocated future co-operation in coping with challenges including climate change.
“The Chinese communists’ claim of ‘picking quarrels and provoking trouble’ is a complete departure from the truth,” said the ministry.
“The drill serves as a stern warning to the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces,” said Capt Li Xi, a spokesman for the PLA. “It is a legitimate and necessary operation for safeguarding state sovereignty and national unity.”
The Chinese military’s Eastern Theatre Command said the “Joint Sword-2024B” drills took place in the Taiwan Strait and areas to the north, south and east of Taiwan.
The Chinese military said at least one aircraft carrier was operating to the east of Taiwan. Taiwan’s defence ministry, meanwhile, said it detected 25 PLA aircraft, seven PLA Navy vessels and four official ships around Taiwan on Monday morning.
The Taiwan defence ministry condemned China’s “irrational and provocative act”, adding it had dispatched its own forces.
A senior Taiwan security official told Reuters anonymously that China was practising blockading Taiwanese ports and international shipping lanes, as well as repelling the arrival of foreign forces.
The US government condemned the exercise, saying it was “unwarranted and risks escalation” as it called on Beijing to act with restraint.
“The United States is seriously concerned by the PLA joint military drills in the Taiwan Strait and around Taiwan,” said Matthew Miller, the US state department spokesman.
China’s state media have run a series of stories and commentaries regarding Mr Lai’s speech. The PLA newspaper commented that “those who play with fire get burned” and said acts of Taiwan independence were a dead end.
Earlier this month, Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader, pledged to achieve “reunification” with Taiwan.
“Taiwan is China’s sacred territory, and the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are connected by blood, and blood is thicker than water,” Xi said in a speech. He added that China must resolutely oppose “Taiwan independence”.
Shortly after Mr Lai took office in May, China held similar drills for two days, saying they were “punishment” for his “separatist” inauguration speech.
Mr Lai has repeatedly offered talks with China but has been rebuffed. He says only Taiwan’s people can decide their future, and rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims.
Taiwan’s coast guard said on Monday it had detained a Chinese person on one of its outlying islands after a possible “intrusion” coinciding with China’s military drills.
“It is not ruled out that the small boat stowaway attempt could be a grey zone intrusion linked to the military exercise,” the coast guard said in a statement, referring to tactics which fall short of a direct act of war.
Also on Monday, Dong Jun, China’s defence minister, told his Russian counterpart that the two countries’ armies should have closer links.
“The two militaries should follow the direction set by their leaders, deepen strategic collaboration… and continuously advance military relations,” Dong told Andrey Belousov, according to the defence ministry.