China’s military preparations have taken a dramatic turn, as new satellite images reveal the expansion of a sprawling replica of Taipei’s government buildings at the Zhurihe Training Base in Inner Mongolia. According to reports from The Tribune, Taipei Times, and the Japanese Institute for National Fundamentals, the mock facility has grown to nearly three times its original size since 2020, sharply intensifying concerns about Beijing’s intentions toward Taiwan.
The replica isn’t just a simple training aid. The site now includes detailed models of Taiwan’s most critical government institutions: the Presidential Office Building, the Judicial Yuan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and, most recently, the Ministry of Defense’s Reserve Command. The scale and specificity of the site are hard to ignore—especially in light of recent geopolitical tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
But perhaps the most striking addition is a newly built 280-kilometre tunnel that links the mock Presidential Office Building with the Judicial Yuan. This tunnel, as reported by ANI and Taipei Times, is widely interpreted as a symbolic gesture: a message that Taiwan’s leaders would not be able to take refuge underground in the event of a Chinese attack. It’s a chilling reminder of the lengths to which China is willing to go to project both military capability and psychological pressure.
This is not a new phenomenon. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been constructing and using such mock facilities for over a decade. In fact, as early as 2015, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV aired footage of PLA drills at the replica of the Presidential Office Building. But the recent surge in construction and the increased realism of the exercises mark a noticeable escalation.
Satellite images from 2022 and 2023, analyzed by Taipei Times and ANI, show Chinese troops practicing urban warfare at the site. These exercises include setting up and dismantling roadblocks and advancing with armored units in simulated combat scenarios. The PLA’s focus on urban combat training is seen by analysts as a direct response to the unique challenges it would face in any potential operation to seize control of Taipei, a densely populated metropolis with complex infrastructure.
Military experts emphasize that these activities are far from symbolic. They reflect President Xi Jinping’s longstanding emphasis on “realistic combat training.” Since taking charge of the Central Military Commission in 2012, Xi has repeatedly directed the PLA to improve battlefield simulations. This message was reinforced in 2018, when Xi addressed soldiers in full military attire at a “training mobilisation meeting,” urging them to be ready for real combat. According to Taipei Times, Xi’s directive has been clear: the PLA must be prepared to fight—and win—a modern war.
The expansion of the “mock Taipei” serves two main purposes, analysts say. First, it allows the PLA to refine its military strategy for a possible invasion of Taiwan. By practicing assaults on detailed replicas of key government buildings, Chinese troops can develop and rehearse tactics tailored specifically to the terrain and architecture they might encounter in Taipei. Second, the highly visible nature of the construction and exercises is intended to wage psychological warfare—not just against Taiwan, but also against any international actors who might consider intervening.
For Taiwan, the message is unmistakable. The existence of a “mock Taipei” deep inside Inner Mongolia underlines Beijing’s determination to apply both military and symbolic pressure. It’s a signal that China is not merely posturing, but is actively preparing for the possibility of conflict. As reported by Taipei Times, these developments have underscored the need for heightened vigilance in the Taiwan Strait—a region already on edge due to frequent Chinese air and naval incursions near Taiwan’s air defense identification zone.
The psychological dimension of these preparations cannot be overstated. By making its military drills and mock-ups so visible, China is sending a message not just to Taiwan’s leaders, but to the Taiwanese public and the international community. The construction of the tunnel, in particular, is seen as a pointed attempt to undermine confidence in Taiwan’s ability to withstand a siege or invasion. As one analyst told Taipei Times, “It’s not just about military readiness. It’s about sowing doubt and fear.”
Of course, this strategy is not without risks. The more China ramps up its preparations, the more it galvanizes Taiwan’s resolve—and draws the attention of international actors who have a stake in maintaining stability in the region. The United States, Japan, and other allies have repeatedly expressed concern about China’s military buildup and its increasingly assertive posture toward Taiwan.
President Xi’s focus on military modernization and combat readiness has been a hallmark of his tenure. Since 2012, he has overseen sweeping reforms aimed at transforming the PLA into a world-class fighting force. The emphasis on “realistic combat training” is part of a broader effort to ensure that China’s military is capable of carrying out complex operations, including amphibious assaults and urban warfare. The exercises at the Zhurihe Training Base are just one example of how these reforms are being put into practice.
For Taiwan, the stakes could hardly be higher. The island’s leaders have repeatedly warned that China’s military preparations pose a grave threat to its sovereignty and security. The expansion of the mock Taipei site is seen as yet another indication that Beijing is willing to use every tool at its disposal—military, psychological, and symbolic—to achieve its goals.
International organizations and observers are watching the situation closely. Some have called for greater diplomatic engagement to reduce tensions and prevent miscalculation. Others argue that the best way to deter aggression is through a robust show of support for Taiwan, including arms sales and military cooperation.
As the world watches, the reality on the ground is that China’s preparations continue apace. The expansion of the replica Taipei, the construction of the tunnel, and the ongoing urban combat drills all point to a leadership that is serious about its military ambitions. For Taiwan, and for the broader international community, the message is clear: vigilance is not just advisable—it’s essential.
With tensions simmering and the stakes higher than ever, every new satellite image from Inner Mongolia is scrutinized for clues about what might come next. For now, the replica city stands as a stark reminder of the challenges—and the uncertainties—that define the Taiwan Strait today.
