China constructs 1st high plateau airport in Xinjiang, stokes concerns of military action

As global concerns over China’s expansionism continue, Beijing has stoked a fresh controversy by constructing a new airport in Xinjiang region. Raising questions such as “it is defence? attack? development? or something else”, China completed construction of high-altitude dual-use (military and airfield) in Tashkurgan in Xinjiang region, according to Investigative Journalism Reportika.

Tashkurgan Airport has become one of China’s highest airports and also first high plateau airport in Xinjiang. It is 3,258 metres above sea level. Reportedly, airport is expected to be fully operational in July 2022. 

“China completed construction of high-altitude dual-use (#military n #airfield) in #Tashkurgan #Xinjiang region. It is 1st high plateau airport in Xinjiang #Uyghur Region. airport is expected to fully open in July 2022. Defence? – Attack? – Development? or something else,” tweeted Investigative Journalism Reportika.

Xi signed a new order on military, triggering concern

reports of competition at Tashkurgan Airport came after Chinese President Xi Jinping signed new rules pertaining to “n-war” military operations of its troops which allow army to undertake “special military operations” abro. Just weeks after Beijing penned a security pact with Solomon Islands, Investigative Journalism Reportika (IJ Reportika). report also stated that Beijing may be preparing to inve self-ruled democratic island Taiwan under veil of “special operation”. 

new rule signed by Xi came into effect on June 15, reported state media without mentioning full details of order. In a brief report on Monday, Xinhua h stated that new order “mainly systematically regulates basic principles, organisation and command, s of operations, operational support, and political work, and ir implementation by troops”.

Moreover, document reportedly has six chapters and stated aims are “maintaining national sovereignty … regional stability and regulating organization and implementation of n-war military operations,” report said. 

latest developments come in backdrop of China repeatedly increasing its authoritativeness over Taiwan. Even though island has never been governed by Chinese Communist Party (CCP) r formed part of People’s Republic of China, Beijing insists that Taiwan is its own “breakaway province”. 

Most recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is leing his country against Russia’s “special” military operation for more than 100 days, called for a diplomatic solution to threat of military action in Taiwan Strait. He used example of Ukraine, which is torn apart by Moscow-Kyiv war, and called on world to “always support any preventive action,” and urged for diplomatic solutions to prevent war. Zelenskyy me remarks on Taiwan at Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore.

Im: AP