WW3 fears as China stages massive ‘Taiwan invasion’ drills and boasts it would defeat US and UK in any conflict
FEARS of World War Three have been sparked after China staged massive military drills "invading Taiwan".
Beijing also boasted about defeating the US and the UK in any conflict - and says it is confident the advantages are on its side.
The latest drill includes assault landings and island-control exercises in a bid to demonstrate the communist state's military might.
It was conducted as the country is preparing its soldiers in case of an insurgency in Taiwan, Chinese state media reports.
The People’s Liberation Army has conducted a series of drills in the past years focusing on the embattled island.
According to data collected by the South China Morning Post, China has conducted 20 naval exercises in the first half of the year - while another 13 exercises were carried out in 2020.
Footage released from China’s state broadcaster CCTV shows simulations of amphibious landing, two types of drones, and launch rocket systems.
The clip shows a small group of soldiers acting out missions and amphibious assault vehicles firing guns at sea.
It comes a month after China vowed to invade Taiwan if it seeks independence, with the Chinese defence ministry spokesman warning any move toward gaining independence would mean “war”.
Ren Guoqiang said during a press briefing that Taiwan's unification with the mainland is a "historical inevitability" before adding any attempt to declare independence would be a “dead-end road” resulting in “war”.
Meanwhile, tensions are rising after the US sent a warship through the Taiwan Straits and held an exercise in the South China Sea this week.
The move, according to experts, was an attempt to contain China politically and militarily, the Global Times reported.
In a statement released on Thursday, Senior Colonel Shi Yi said the PLA Eastern Theater Command tracked and monitored the course of the USS Benfold guided-missile destroyer.
He added that the provocations show America is the biggest destroyer of peace and stability - as well as a security risk in the Taiwan Straits.
And Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, says the US is attempting to contain China's military power in the region.
It comes as earlier this week HMS Queen Elizabeth entered the South China Sea in a risky move that challenged China's claim to control vast swathes of the area.
The UK risked "punishment" from China by taking part in wargames involving eight ships, including three from Singapore, experts said.
Song said the US warships are encouraging the UK vessels to provoke China but the PLA is the stronger force thanks to a number of factors including the troops, the combat capabilities, and logistics support.
He added that the PLA is prepared and the advantage is on their side.