(Dan Tri) – China is said to have upgraded missile bases near Taiwan and deployed DF-17 hypersonic missiles here.

China’s DF-17 hypersonic missile made its debut at a military parade last October.

The South China Morning Post (SCMP) newspaper on October 18, citing sources familiar with military information, said that China is stepping up the militarization of the country’s southeastern coastal region.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is said to be upgrading missile bases in this area and deploying their most advanced hypersonic missiles (DF-17) here.

“The DF-17 missile will gradually replace the DF-11 and DF-15 that have been deployed in the southeast region for decades.

Andrei Chang, editor-in-chief of the Kanwa Defense Review newspaper, said satellite photos showed that the bases of the Chinese Rocket Force and Marine Corps in Fujian and Guangdong provinces have both expanded in recent years.

According to Mr. Chang, a base in Pu Ninh city, Guangdong province has been upgraded and equipped with a new type of ballistic missile.

The PLA’s coastal defense line also has 20 air force units, some of which are equipped with J-20 stealth aircraft.

Beijing is increasing pressure on Taiwan, including conducting a series of large-scale exercises last weekend.

The United States, like most other countries, only has formal diplomatic relations with mainland China, and has not had official relations with Taiwan since 1979. Despite this, Washington still maintains informal relations.

China has always considered Taiwan an inseparable territory and declared its readiness to annex it at any cost, including by force.