China builds full‑scale Taiwan presidential office models for attack drills

Satellite imagery analysis shows the Chinese People’s Liberation Army has constructed proportional replicas of Taiwan’s presidential office, other key government buildings, the Su‑ao naval base and Japan’s Yokosuka naval base. The models are sited at China’s Inner Mongolia training facilities, including the Zhu Rihe joint tactical training base and a desert site, and are linked by an underground tunnel network about 280 km long.

The replicas are used to rehearse missile strikes, joint‑force operations and AI‑guided weapon testing, with evidence of multiple missile impacts on the structures. Analysts note the high fidelity of the models—down to street layouts—demonstrates Beijing’s intent to practice urban assault and command‑center capture scenarios. The drills also serve as a strategic signal to the United States and Japan, indicating that those countries’ bases could be targeted in a Taiwan contingency.

Taiwan’s defence ministry says it monitors these developments through joint intelligence systems and continues to strengthen asymmetric defence capabilities. U.S. and Japanese officials have reiterated their security commitments to Taiwan amid the heightened training activities.