China is making significant preparations for a full-scale invasion of Taiwan, including the unusual use of civilian ferries in its strategy, according to The Telegraph.
This alarming development comes as China carried out a large-scale exercise involving 111 aircraft and 46 naval vessels around Taiwan, signaling a sharp escalation in tensions. China has vowed to intensify its measures until “complete reunification” is accomplished.
Taiwan’s National Defense Ministry reported that this marked one of the most provocative maneuvers in recent years, with 82 Chinese military aircraft crossing the median line of the Taiwan Strait.
The exercises were described by Chinese state media as a “punishment” for Taiwan’s newly inaugurated president, Lai Ching-te, who Beijing has repeatedly criticized as a “separatist.”
Just days after China concluded these significant military drills, a U.S. congressional delegation led by Michael McCaul (R-Texas) arrived in Taiwan. McCaul expressed the need for faster delivery of weapons systems to Taiwan and emphasized the shared responsibility for regional stability.
China has issued a stark warning to the United States, urging it to “seriously abide by the one-China principle” and avoid facilitating visits by congressional members to Taiwan.
The Telegraph reported that China is preparing an “armada” of ferries and civilian vessels for a potential invasion of Taiwan, indicating that the People’s Liberation Army lacks the amphibious landing craft needed for a full-scale invasion.
Amid these developments, the U.S. Navy’s USS Theodore Roosevelt has made a significant transit through the South China Sea for “routine operations” as Chinese military activities in the area began to subside. This move underscores the U.S.’s commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
A geopolitics expert has suggested that a real invasion might conclude before the U.S. has an opportunity to react, highlighting the urgent need for a robust and timely response to China’s aggressive posturing.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login