China has released a new documentary about the military’s preparations to attack Taiwan, showing soldiers pledging to sacrifice their lives if necessary, as Beijing continues to ratchet up its rhetoric against the self-ruled island.

“Chasing Dreams,” an eight-part series aired by state broadcaster CCTV last week to mark the 96th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), depicts military exercises and testimonies from dozens of soldiers, many of whom express their willingness to die in a possible attack on Taiwan.

China claims that Taiwan, a self-governing republic, is its territory and will be conquered by force, if necessary.

State media and the PLA often publish propaganda material and videos of military exercises. They cater to rising Chinese nationalism and demonstrate military superiority against Taiwan and, implicitly, its ties to the United States.

While the US does not recognize Taiwan as a sovereign country, it has pledged to help the island defend itself in the event of an invasion. Last month, the White House announced a $345 million military aid package for Taiwan. The move was criticized by Beijing.

The documentary in question featured, among others, PLA exercises, which simulated precision strikes against Taiwan. The drills took place around the self-ruled island in April following a visit to the US by Taiwan President, Tsai Ing-wen.

Among the most dramatic parts are the pledges of PLA soldiers from various divisions to sacrifice their lives in a possible attack on Taiwan.

The documentary also depicts the Shandong, one of China’s three aircraft carriers, sailing in formation with several other warships.

The PLA has repeatedly sent Shandong to the Taiwan Strait in recent months as a threat to Taiwan. PLA aircraft have also crossed the middle line of the strait – an informal demarcation zone between China and Taiwan – relatively often in the past two years, especially in response to exchanges of visits between Taiwan and the US that have angered Beijing.

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