Shocking photos have caught China practicing beach landing invasion plans on its coast close to Taiwan. Terrifying images shared on social media, which were quickly taken down by Beijing’s extreme censor policing, showed barges and even civilian ferries joining the shocking war exercises.
Footage showed three large barges – close to the shore in China’s southern Guangdong Province – lining up and creating a bridge between the beach and deep water. They were accompanied by commercial ferries, which can be built to support the military by carrying armour, tanks and even missile launchers quickly whenever the army needs them.
These terrifying images together have revealed China’s potential invasion strategy, as it continues to threaten Taiwan and it’s self-governed status. A US Naval War College assessment of the images revealed this set up and water bridge could “significantly improve” China’s ability to “conduct over-the-shore logistics” in an invasion.
The three Shuiqiao-class barges, which have all been built by China within a year, are linked together through long but stable bridges, connecting them over hundreds of meters. The first vessel uses a long ramp to reach out and connect to the beach – possibly allowing troops easy access to the ground.
The report also said: “This newest logistics capability is further evidence of the PLA’s efforts to meet Chairman Xi Jinping’s reported mandate to have military capabilities necessary to conduct a large-scale invasion of Taiwan by 2027.” This chilling prediction aligns with the Xi Jinping’s insistence that the breakaway province is part of China and he has vowed to take it over.
China’s authoritarian President has claimed he will take back Taiwan through peaceful negotiations but these images and a series of other worrying military actions in the South China Sea has put this into question.
Xi has also said failed negotiations with lead to an alternative route – which these barges suggest could be a forceful invasion.
More barges are reportedly being built and even more ferries are being adapted to meet military needs. These war barges also have pylon stilts that can move the vessel with rising sea levels.
Professor of Strategy Andrew Erickson spoke to News.com.au and said: “China’s Shuiqiaos are not a panacea that can overcome all difficult landing conditions, but they definitely provide PLA planners with more options along greater stretches of Taiwan’s coastline.
“Beyond a formerly narrow set of favourable beaches, they put many more landing sites into the realm of possibility and open up a broader range of landing options.”
This would be crucial for China to invade Taiwan as the island is known for it’s rugged coastline but has 20 beaches that could be invaded – however the island has covered these spots with metal spikes and explosives, to prevent being captured.
The US War College assessment added: “This relocatable pier system can deliver large volumes of (personnel), equipment and material into unimproved amphibious landing areas, damaged or blocked ports, or possibly across seawalls or other obstacles onto coastal roads.”
China has already sparked fresh fears over a series of other large-scale air and sea exercises – including deploying one of its deadliest aircraft carrier battle groups. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence said it tracked 19 Chinese navy vessels in it’s water in a 24-hour period from from 6am March 31.
Taiwan’s defence forces have since been placed on high-alert for China’s next military move against it.
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