Military amphibious vehicles in the water.
Share this @internewscast.com

DRAMATIC footage captures a fleet of Chinese tank boats charging through the sea in tight formation during military drills near Taiwan.

The show of force by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) comes as Taiwan kicks off its largest-ever military exercises.

Military amphibious vehicles in the water.
Armoured amphibious units practise naval formation
Large fleet of Chinese tank boats in the water.
Military experts describe the drills as a ‘counter-display’ following Taiwan’s drillsCredit: X/ianellisjones
Amphibious assault vehicles landing on a beach.
China views the democratically governed island as part of its territory

Video footage aired by China’s state broadcaster CCTV on Wednesday showcases amphibious armored units engaging in live-fire drills amid rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait.

The exercises were conducted by the PLA’s 72nd Group Army near the southern coast of Fujian province, directly opposite Taiwan, in what experts interpret as a strategically provocative gesture.

A video released on Thursday displays reconnaissance soldiers from the 73rd Group Army performing drills in armed swimming, underwater combat, and extended coastal infiltration.

Military experts say the drills are “counter-display” as Taiwan launched its own large-scale military exercises on Wednesday.

Taiwan’s drills focused on decentralising command systems, defence officials told Reuters.

In one exercise, around 300 reservists were stationed at an empty high school in Taoyuan, where they trained in mortar and rifle operations.

China and Taiwan’s displays of military might reflect an escalation in tensions between Beijing and Taipei.

China views the democratically governed island as part of its territory.

For this reason, it has ramped up military pressure around the island over the last five years, including regular naval and air patrols near Taiwan.

Meanwhile, China’s new giant “sea monster” warplane was spotted for the first time in the Bohai Sea on Monday.

China floods sea bases with nuke bombers, terrifying satellite pics show – as US warns Xi could SEIZE Taiwanese islands

The wing-in-ground effect (WIG) aircraft, commonly known as an ekranoplan, calls to mind Soviet military tech from the Cold War era.

The vehicle seems to have a boat-shaped fuselage and a joined V-shape tail – a common configuration for WIG craft.

It could be used to facilitate rapid coastal transport and resupply missions or amphibious operations, according to aviation and maritime experts.

And experts fear it could be used in any potential military operations against Taiwan in the future.

It comes just months after satellite pictures showed China’s new invasion barges lining up to form a floating bridge.

The satellite images show three specialised barges, each with two arms of roadway, lining up next to each other.

They connect to form a continuous bridge along which invading ground vehicles such as tanks could trundle ashore.

Huge retractable legs anchor the barges to the seabed like stilts.

Why is Taiwan under threat of Chinese invasion?

TAIWAN is under threat of a Chinese invasion as a result of its political and historical ties to China and its strategic importance

  • After the Chinese Civil War in 1949, the defeated Nationalist government (Kuomintang) fled to Taiwan while the Communists took control of mainland China
  • Since then, Taiwan has evolved into a self-governed democracy
  • But the People’s Republic of China (PRC) sees Taiwan as a breakaway province that must be reunified with the mainland
  • Taiwan has never formally declared independence, partly to avoid provoking a military response from China
  • Chinese President Xi Jinping has tied “national rejuvenation” to reunifying Taiwan with the mainland
  • Most countries, including the US, do not officially recognise Taiwan as an independent nation, but they do support Taiwan militarily and economically
  • China views foreign support of Taiwan, especially arms sales and diplomatic visits, as provocations
  • Taiwan is strategically important as it sits in a vital geopolitical position in the Asia-Pacific
  • This makes its location a gateway to the South China Sea
Two Taiwanese navy Kuang Hua VI-class missile boats in Keelung harbor.
Two Taiwanese navy Kuang Hua VI-class missile boats in Keelung harbourCredit: Reuters
Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Manuel Jose Rosales Yajure identified as Streamwood man who died after found at Centennial Beach: Naperville Police Department

The Naperville Police Department reports that the man who passed away after being found at Centennial Beach has been identified as Manuel Jose Rosales Yajure from Streamwood.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WLS) — The 27-year-old Streamwood man who died after being…
Richmond Road Baptist Church shooting: Alleged Lexington, Kentucky shooter Guy House; victims Beverly Gumm, Christina Combs

Richmond Road Baptist Church Incident: Suspect Guy House Accused in Lexington Shooting; Victims Identified as Beverly Gumm and Christina Combs

LEXINGTON, Ky. — A man accused of a shooting spree at a…
Two rings found on beach and returned thanks to kindness of strangers

Kind Strangers Reunite Two Lost Rings Found on Beach with Their Owners

CAPE MAY, New Jersey — When a woman from South Jersey lost…
Trump administration says it won't publish major climate change report on NASA website as promised

Trump Administration Backtracks on Publishing Key Climate Change Report on NASA Website

The Trump administration on Monday advanced another move that complicates access to…
Boat fire on St. Johns River sends 5 into the water, all rescued

Boat Catches Fire on St. Johns River Sending 5 People Overboard, All Safely Rescued

St. Johns County Fire Rescue said the fire happened around 12:15 p.m.…
Arizona wildfire destroys a historic Grand Canyon National Park lodge and other structures

Historic Grand Canyon National Park Lodge and Other Structures Destroyed by Arizona Wildfire

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — A rapidly spreading wildfire has devastated a historic lodge…
Cullman’s Roy Drinkard, Oldest Living U.S. Marine, Celebrates 105th Birthday

Cullman’s Roy Drinkard, the Oldest Living Marine in the U.S., Celebrates 105th Birthday

Congressman Aderholt honors 105-year-old Marine veteran Roy Drinkard with a Capitol flag…
Richard Tice, Reform UK deputy leader, speaking to the media.

Outrage Over Taxpayer Funds Allocated to Electric Car Program for Unwilling Benefits Claimants

TAXPAYERS are footing the bill for electric cars that thousands of benefits…
‘The Mexicans jumped me and stole my car’: Man charged after allegedly fleeing authorities in car packed with migrants

“Man Arrested After Allegedly Fleeing Police in Car Loaded with Migrants”

A U.S. citizen is now facing federal conspiracy charges, accused of speeding…
Crime scene at a Victorville convenience store.

Teddy bear with ‘realistic human skin, eyes, and lips’ discovered on sidewalk causes alarm

A DISTURBING teddy bear seemingly made out of human skin sparked a…
Przemyslaw Jeziorski: UC Berkeley professor shot and killed in Greece, family says

Family Reports: UC Berkeley Professor Przemyslaw Jeziorski Fatally Shot in Greece

BERKELEY, Calif. — A UC Berkeley professor was shot and killed while…
Aerial view of a burned-out airplane at London Southend Airport.

Four Killed in Fiery Crash as Medical Jet Spirals Out of Control and Crashes at Southend Airport

FOUR people have reportedly been killed after a plane crashed at Southend…