Fujian’s Beach Drills: A Quiet Stir
What the Chinese Army actually did
China’s military announced on Monday (Oct 11) that it had conducted “small‑scale beach landing drills” in southern Fujian, the province that lies directly across the sea from Taiwan. The brief report appeared on the army’s official Weibo feed and didn’t link the exercises to the ongoing tensions with Taipei.
Who and how they marched
- Shock troops, sappers, and boat specialists were involved.
- Soldiers were segmented into multiple waves, each tasked with grabbing the beach and tackling combat operations at different stages.
- A short video showcased troops in small boats storming the shore, tossing smoke grenades, breaking through barbed‑wire fences, and digging trenches in the sand.
Small force, big message
While the exercises involved a relatively small number of personnel, the clear weather and calm seas suggested they weren’t an emergency response to a tropical storm that’s currently swirling between Taiwan and the Philippines.
Why Fujian matters
- Fujian’s location makes it a logical launching point for any potential invasion of Taiwan.
- China regards Taiwan as a renegade province that must be reunified, “by force if necessary.”
- Taiwan says it will defend its freedom and democracy, pointing fingers at China for the escalating tensions.
Tension’s Current Soundtrack
- Chinese air force missions have surged, especially on Oct 1 (National Day) and peaked last Monday when 56 planes broke the daily record for such sorties.
- Over the weekend, President Xi Jinping reiterated a promise to “reunify” Taiwan, while President Tsai Ing‑wen vowed that Taiwan will not bow to China.
In short: a low‑key beach drill, a high‑stakes backdrop, and both sides sharpening their blades in the quiet waters of the South China Sea.
