China upgraded a series of air bases close to Taiwan 2
Planet Labs yesterday released commercial satellite images taken in early October in China’s Fujian province, showing that renovation activities at three air bases near the Taiwan Strait have been taking place non-stop since the beginning of 2020.
Photos of the Longtian, Huian and Zhangzhou bases, located about 200-400 km from Taipei city on the island of Taiwan, show many new structures appearing, including fortified hangars and weapons bunkers.
New infrastructure built at Longtian base in satellite image on October 2.
Experts say that the move to expand the parking lot shows that the number of aircraft stationed at the bases may increase in the future, or ensure the ability to receive large numbers of aircraft in quick campaigns.
Zhangzhou base also has a third anti-aircraft missile site.
There has been no change in the number of aircraft stationed at the three bases, but this may change in the near future, as Beijing seeks to increase pressure on Taipei, as well as prepare for scenarios of
`The Chinese military’s continuous base upgrades show that it is applying many measures to increase its ability to survive and conceal its forces, as well as expand its ability to conduct lightning operations.
Distance from three bases being renovated by China to Taipei city.
China has always considered Taiwan a province awaiting reunification and vowed to use force if necessary.
Chinese President Xi Jinping last weekend continued to declare that he would realize the goal of unifying Taiwan, but did not mention the use of force.
In the first 4 days of October, the Chinese military sent nearly 150 aircraft close to Taiwan and held a landing exercise in southern Fujian province on the Taiwan Strait on October 11, amid tensions between the two countries.
Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen affirmed that the island does not want military confrontation and hopes for `peaceful, stable and mutually beneficial coexistence` with mainland China.
Taiwan’s defense agency also expressed concern about the growing strength of the Chinese military, as well as the risk of Beijing blocking the Taiwan Strait, leading to serious challenges for the island’s defense activities.
