Taiwan Says China Building Airfield Along Coastline to Gain ‘Superior Air Power’

Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense said that Beijing was building airfields and stationing new fighters and drones along the coastline facing the island.

A helicopter and boat under the Eastern Theatre Command of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) take part in a maritime rescue drill, as part of military exercises in the waters around Taiwan, at an undisclosed location on Aug. 9, 2022. Eastern Theatre Command/Handout via Reuters

China has been completing its airfield construction along the coastline facing Taiwan to gain “superior air power” against the self-ruling island, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense said.

The ministry released its annual defense report (pdf) on Sept. 12, the first report since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.