By South China Morning Post | Created at 2024-10-22 22:38:42 | Updated at 2024-10-23 01:40:14
3 hours ago
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to a PLA Rocket Force unit last Thursday highlights the key role the force might play in trying to deter the US from getting involved in a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, military analysts said.
Last week, Xi inspected a People’s Liberation Army brigade stationed in the southeastern province of Anhui, according to state news agency Xinhua.
It was the first reported visit to a Rocket Force unit since 2016 and footage of the visit showed a number of nuclear-capable missiles that commentators said could be used to target warships or military bases.
The visit came just three days after the Joint Sword-2024B military drill, which involved air, ground and naval forces as well as the Rocket Force.
The exercises came days after a speech by Taiwan’s leader William Lai Ching-te when he said Beijing had no authority to represent the island.
A day after that drill, Xi visited Dongshan county, an island in Fujian province that sits opposite Taiwan.
