Deadly talk fuels Taiwan 'dream' push

China has aired a new documentary about the People Liberation Army's preparation to attack Taiwan and showcasing soldiers pledging to give up their lives if needed as Beijing continues to ramp up its rhetoric.

Chasing Dreams, an eight-part docuseries aired by CCTV this week to mark the PLA's 96th anniversary, features drills and testimonials by dozens of soldiers, of which several express their willingness to die in a potential attack against Taiwan.

It showcased the PLA's "Joint Sword" drills, which simulated precision strikes against Taiwan and undertaken around the island in April after a stopover by its President Tsai Ing-wen in the United States.

"If war broke out and the conditions were too difficult to safely remove mines, we would use our bodies to clear a safe pathway for landing forces," Zuo Feng, a frogman with a minesweeper unit, said.

Li Peng, a pilot, said his "fighter jet would be the last missile rushing toward the enemy if in a real battle, I had used up all my ammunition."