Paraded China weaponry shows Beijing’s focus on sovereign defence: analysts

The latest weapons systems featured in China’s Victory Day parade have shown Beijing’s sharp focus on safeguarding its sovereign integrity over Taiwan and its ability to defend against any attempt to break away, according to analysts.

Although Taiwan was not directly mentioned in President Xi Jinping’s keynote address on Wednesday, it is often used by military observers as a yardstick to measure the People’s Liberation Army’s capabilities and progress.

The cutting-edge weapons showcased in the parade gave a strong indication that the PLA is gearing up to face that challenge.

Xi on Wednesday urged the PLA to “accelerate the development of a world-class military force, resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, reunification and territorial integrity, and provide strategic support for realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation”.

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.

Unlike his speech before the 2019 National Day military parade in which he spoke of “the complete reunification of the nation”, Xi on Wednesday made no mention of Taiwan, as was the case during the 2015 war commemoration.

  

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