China builds fake Taiwan to rehearse invasion

A failed invasion could destabilise the Chinese Communist Party itself.

China builds mock Taiwan to rehearse invasion

Satellite images have revealed a sprawling complex in Inner Mongolia where Chinese troops are simulating an invasion of Taiwan.

The site, part of the People’s Liberation Army’s Zhurihe training base, includes full-scale replicas of Taiwan’s most important government buildings, including the Presidential Office, the Judicial Yuan, and the foreign and defence ministries.

Analysts say these mock-ups are being used for live-fire and urban assault drills aimed directly at Taiwan’s leadership.

A replica presidential district emerges in the desert

The new structures mark a major expansion of the PLA’s invasion training facilities.

Reports suggest that the imitation government complex has tripled in size since 2020 and is connected by a 280-metre tunnel, designed to simulate the underground networks beneath Taipei.

Satellite footage shows armoured vehicles manoeuvring through the site and troops assaulting a mock presidential compound, reflecting preparation for what could be a “decapitation strike” against Taiwan’s government.

Expert: “Combat-oriented training”

Maki Nakagawa, an analyst with Japan’s Institute for National Fundamentals, said the site had been “rapidly renovated” to support more realistic military exercises.

“The goal is to put pressure on Taiwan and warn it that even with tunnels, there’s no escape route,” she noted.

The expansion shows Beijing’s determination to perfect urban warfare tactics that could target political and command centres in the event of a cross-strait conflict.

Taiwan unveils its own defence plan

As the new training site came to light, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te announced the launch of a comprehensive missile and air-defence network called the “Taiwan Shield” or T-Dome.

The system, part of a broader strategy to harden Taiwan’s defences, will be central to what Lai described as a “multi-layered protection” against potential Chinese attacks.

Taiwan plans to increase defence spending to more than 3% of GDP next year and up to 5% by 2030.

Beijing’s message of force

During his National Day speech on October 1, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared that China would “resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity” and “firmly oppose separatist activities seeking Taiwan independence.”

Beijing continues to view Taiwan as a breakaway province and has never ruled out using military force to bring it under mainland control.

The timing of the exercises, coming so soon after Xi’s speech, has deepened concern in Taipei and among Western allies.

Taiwan warns of “serious threat”

At Taiwan’s Double Tenth National Day celebrations, President Lai urged Beijing to “strive to maintain the status quo” and “abandon attempts to change the situation in the Taiwan Strait through force or coercion.”

He warned that the entire “First Island Chain”, stretching from Japan’s Kyushu to the Philippines, was under increasing threat from Chinese expansionism.

Taiwan’s defence minister, Wellington Koo, confirmed awareness of the Zhurihe site and said the island was prepared for potential “decapitation strike” attempts.

Zhurihe base: China’s invasion rehearsal ground

The Zhurihe training base, located about 250 miles northwest of Beijing, is China’s largest and most advanced military training facility.

It regularly hosts full-scale war simulations involving combined arms units, aircraft, and special operations forces.

Military analysts have long considered it the PLA’s testing ground for urban warfare and amphibious invasion tactics, with the mock Taiwan complex adding a clear political dimension to its drills.

Expert: “Preparing for snatch-and-grab operations”

Dr John Hemmings of the Council on Geostrategy described the new mock city as “a training ground for special forces and urban combat units preparing for snatch-and-grab operations against Taiwan’s leadership and government buildings.”

He said the construction “can only serve” this purpose, adding that it demonstrates how far Beijing is willing to go in planning a potential strike on Taipei’s political core.

China’s broader preparation for conflict

According to Dr Hemmings, the invasion rehearsals are part of a wider pattern of strategic preparation.

“China has been amassing food stocks and energy reserves, de-linking from the US dollar, mapping Taiwan’s airspace and wearing down its air force to test response times,” he said.

“These latest revelations just add more smoke to the fire.”

He warned that while China may wish to avoid a large-scale war, Xi Jinping’s deadlines for military readiness suggest every option is being prepared.

This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, which may have used AI in the preparation