What message is China sending with latest footage of ‘no-notice’ DF rocket drill?

China has unveiled footage of its troops conducting a "no-notice" rocket launch, highlighting the People's Liberation Army's swift response capabilities. State broadcaster CCTV aired a brief video of the exercise, which took place in mountainous terrain without prior notice to the personnel. The footage, believed to depict a missile from the Dongfeng (east wind) family, surfaced on the same day as a significant Communist Party gathering focused on discipline and loyalty, known as the fifth plenum.

It marked the second time this month that such a drill was released, following a similar video released on October 11, showcasing the launch of DF-26 intermediate-range ballistic missiles capable of reaching US territory, Guam. The footage emphasized the slogan: "Sharpening blades across multi-domains, safeguarding national reunification."

This comes amid heightened tensions between China and Taiwan, with Taiwan's leader giving a speech shortly after the October 11 drill, which Beijing perceived as escalating cross-strait tensions. The publicity surrounding these drills coincides with the ongoing joint exercise, Keen Sword, between the United States and Japan, aimed at preparing for a potential Taiwan crisis.

China views Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to use force if necessary to reunite the island. The US and Japan, along with most countries, do not recognize Taiwan as an independent state. Additionally, the PLA Daily, China's military newspaper, called for enhancing rapid-response capabilities to prepare for "major 'Taiwan independence' incidents," one of the three triggers under the Anti-Secession Law enabling the use of "non-peaceful means" to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity.