CHINA has built more replicas of Taiwan’s government buildings in a chilling sign of its plans to invade the island.
The copycats let China‘s forces practice storming the real government buildings – amid evermore foreboding sings from Xi Jinping.
Experts confirmed the replicas are used for practicing the rapid capture of Taiwanese targets in the event that conflict breaks out.
The structures were revealed in satellite pictures of a Chinese military base in Inner Mongolia and obtained by a Japanese think tank.
A mock up of Taiwan’s court, Judicial Yuan, was linked to a 918ft underground tunnel, Japanese paper Sankei Shimbun reported.
At the other end was a building resembling Taiwan’s presidential office.
Japanese media reported that China has also reconstructed Taiwan’s foreign and defence ministries in recent years.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has been constructing and using mock facilities like this for drills more than a decade.
In 2015, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV aired footage of PLA drills at a replica Presidential Office Building.
More recent satellite images from 2022 and 2023 show Chinese troops practicing urban warfare, including setting up and dismantling roadblocks and advancing with armoured units.
Experts have said they reveal China’s focus on “realistic combat training”.
The reconstruction of Taipei, Taiwan’s capital, has reportedly tripled in size since 2020.
It is being developed at the Zhurihe Training Base in Inner Mongolia.
It comes after China staged another mock offensive last month – but against a British Royal Navy ship.
HMS Richmond was travelling through the disputed Taiwan Strait earlier this month when it was targeted by Beijing‘s “constructive kills”.
The ship formed part of the UK’s carrier strike group and was sailing alongside the US destroyer USS Higgins.
Chinese fighter jets made a “simulated kill” against the British ship – a missile launch without actual fire.
Officers onboard the convoy, led by HMS Prince of Wales, said the forces were “pretending to kill us” as they passed through the contentious area.
Sub-Lt Rohan Lewis, from the HMS Prince of Walesleading the group of vessels, added the Chinese were “trying to harass us”.
He told the Telegraph: “The Chinese were trying to harass us, four or five of them trying to get close. They tried to push us a little bit to see how far they can go.”
Another officer added: “They gain height, then pull away and turn at 50 degrees. It’s an info-war operation – they want us to know they’re targeting us.
“We were expecting a reaction but not of a violent nature – we were confident that they wouldn’t really fire a missile.”
But the phoney attacks could have played into British hands, by helping our forces understand more about Chinese military tactics.
China is already engaged in what experts call a “war of words” against Taiwan.
Xi’s military has increased its military activity in the area over the past few years as a show of force.
This included encircling Taiwan’s skies and waters in October – holding joint drills with its warships and fighter jets on a near-daily basis near the island.
In his New Year’s address, President Xi said that the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family.
He has previously called the independence of Taiwan a futile effort and that annexation by Beijing is a “historical inevitability”.
TAIWAN insists it is an independent nation after splitting from mainland China amid civil war in 1949.
But China claims Taiwan remains a part of its territory with which it must eventually be reunified – and has not ruled out the use of force to take the island and place it under Beijing’s control.
The island, which is roughly 100 miles from the coast of south-east China, sees itself as distinct from the Chinese mainland, with its own constitution and democratically-elected leaders.
Taiwan sits in the so-called “first island chain”, which includes a list of US-friendly territories that are crucial to Washington’s foreign policy in the region.
This also puts it in an ideal situation to slow a Chinese attack on the West.
And with tensions between the two nations high, Taiwan is likely to aid China’s enemy if it means keeping its independence.
Taiwan’s economy is another factor in China’s desperation to reclaim the land.
If China takes the island, it could be freer to project power in the western Pacific and rival the US, thanks to much of the world’s electronics being made in Taiwan.
This would allow Beijing to have control over an industry that drives the global economy.
China insists that its intentions are peaceful, but President Xi Jinping has also used threats towards the small island nation
JUSTIN HERBERT and Madison Beer shared a sweet moment on the sideline ahead of the Los Angeles Chargers NFL clash against the Washington Commanders.
The pair were both spotted at the SoFi Stadium on Sunday after they went public in their relationship in August.
At the game, Madison was seen heading to the sideline to wish her partner luck before planting a kiss on his lips.
The musician was even seen wearing the franchise colors as she wore a Chargers jacket to the game.
Reacting to the sight on social media, fans were loving the show of affection and also joked Herbert, 27, was “locked in”.
One fan said: “Man’s really out here completing passes on and off the field.”
A second said: “He’s now locked in, I can now place my bets.”
A third added: “I’ve just bet my house on King Herbert winning the MVP after seeing this video.”
Another said: “MVP Herbert.”
A fifth said: “Win or lose Herbert wins.”
Unfortunately, her appearance at the game did not provide the sort of luck Chargers fans would have been after as they were thrashed 27-10.
Herbert himself registered 166 yards and one touchdown at 75.9 per cent accuracy from 29 pass attempts.
Madison, 26, attended her first Chargers game at the SoFi Stadium last month – a 23-20 win over the Denver Broncos.
In that game, she was seen soaking up the atmosphere before making a heart gesture with her hands.
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She has more than 40 million followers on Instagram alone.
Meanwhile, NFL quarterback Herbert has a relatively modest 706,000 followers on the social media platform.
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JOSH Allen and Stefon Diggs’ embrace was captured on the hot mic after the New England Patriots receiver returned to Buffalo.
Allen and Diggs played together at the Buffalo Bills for four seasons before the receiver was traded away.
Diggs was sent to the Houston Texans in 2024, before getting traded to the Patriots ahead of this season.
The Bills suffered their first defeat of the season on Sunday, losing 23-20 at Highmark Stadium.
After the game, the hot mic picked up the exchange between the former teammates.
The pair had a warm embrace before trading “love yous” as they walked away.
This was Diggs’ first return to Buffalo after being traded a year and a half ago, and he impressed with 10 receptions for 146 yards.
The QB-WR duo formed one of the most prolific partnerships during their time together.
During all four years, they combined for over a thousand receiving yards and a total of 37 TDs.
They also topped the AFC East each year and won at least one playoff game.
This included their first postseason victory since 1995.
Allen has continued to improve as a quarterback since Diggs moved on from Buffalo.
He won the NFL MVP last season, and many are touting the Bills for the Super Bowl this year.
Buffalo selected the 29-year-old out of the University of Wyoming as the seventh overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
He started his first season on the bench, but soon solidified himself as a starter, and the following year was named team captain.
His third season, 2020, saw him combine with Diggs for the first time, as the receiver registered over 1,500 yards.
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Diggs joined from the Minnesota Vikings, where he had spent five seasons.
He was the 146th overall pick in the 2015 draft, but despite being a late-round pick, he became a starter for the Vikings in his rookie year.
He became part of an effective receiving tandem alongside Adam Thielen as they made the playoffs three times during his tenure.
In his first season with the Bills led all NFL receivers with 127 receptions and 1,535 receiving yards.
However, the 31-year-old wasn’t happy with his role and was traded at the end of the 2023 season.
The Pats face the New Orleans Saints next weekend, while the Bills travel to Atlanta for MNF.
The 2025 season is well underway and you can scoop up tickets to watch your favorite team for a great deal.
Below you’ll find all the places to catch the live NFL action in what should be an incredible season going forward.
*If you click on a link in this boxout we will earn affiliate revenue
Please note: Stubhub, Viagogo and Vivid Seats are secondary ticketing platforms. Tickets are resold on these platforms by individuals or businesses and not by the official event organizers. Tickets may be listed above or below face value, and prices may fluctuate by dynamic pricing based on demand. Additional booking fees and tax may apply to ticket purchases. Please be aware that tickets purchased through these sites may not guarantee entry to the venue or event (and may be void) if the official organizer does not permit resale of tickets, including on or through secondary ticketing platforms. Always check the event’s official ticketing terms and conditions and the applicable ticketing platform’s guarantees and complaint handling process before purchasing.