Analysis: Resume of China Preparations to Blockade Taiwan.
In the wake of former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan exactly one year ago on August 2, 2022, China has significantly intensified its military drills aimed at containing the island, according to images taken by drones and expert analysis like Asia.nikkei.
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Chinese PLA Navy's Aircraft Carrier Fujian. (Picture source: Baidu)
Notably, the scope of Chinese military activities around Taiwan has shifted. Before Pelosi's visit in August 2022, Chinese military planes and ships were primarily active southwest of Taiwan. However, over the past year, their presence has increased in the Western Pacific, particularly in the Philippine Sea, with Taiwan to the west.
China's advancements in maritime expansion, such as the construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea and the planned commissioning of a third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, in 2024, raise concerns about its ability to blockade Taiwan from three directions: the East China Sea, South China Sea, and Western Pacific. China also possesses an impressive capacity for ship production and repair, with some analysts estimating their production capacity to be significantly higher than that of the United States. Let's take a closer look at this new Chinese aircraft carrier, the Fujian.
The "Fujian" is named after the coastal province of the same name. Builders at Jiangnan Shipyard have been working on the Type 003 aircraft carrier since its keel was laid down between March 2015 and February 2016. After years of work, the Fujian was finally launched on June 17, 2022, but it is important to note that the Chinese aircraft carrier has not yet been commissioned as of today.
The Fujian has a displacement of approximately 71,875 tons in its normal state and exceeds 80,000 tons at full load. The aircraft carrier measures 300 meters (984 feet) at the waterline and length 316 meters (1,036 feet) on its flight deck, providing ample space for its aircraft and supporting equipment. The deck has a width of 76 meters (249 feet 4 inches). The Fujian is equipped with propulsion systems including steam turbines, 8 boilers, and 4 shafts, generating power of over 220,000 horsepower (164 MW).
As part of the Type 003 class, the Fujian belongs to the category of aircraft carriers and is expected to succeed the Type 002 class in the PLAN's fleet. With one aircraft carrier planned and currently under construction, the Fujian embodies China's commitment to strengthen its naval capabilities.
Currently, in the fitting-out phase, the Fujian is undergoing the installation of various systems, equipment, and armaments essential for its operational readiness. This critical phase will ensure that the aircraft carrier is fully equipped to fulfill its intended role as a flagship of the Chinese Navy.
PLA Navy Marine Corps during multidimensional landing exercise With VN-18 Amphibious IFV( Picture source: CCTV )
In response to the growing threats, the Taiwanese military is conducting exercises on sandy beaches to prevent potential Chinese landings. The island has set up an intensive radar network to monitor Chinese military movements, but concerns persist about landing scenarios at locations such as the Port of Taipei and the sandy beach in Taoyuan.
As China increases its military activities near Taiwan, neighboring countries such as Japan, the Philippines, and South Korea closely monitor the situation. Japan has bolstered defense around the Nansei Islands, and the United States has gained access to additional military bases in the Philippines.
Cooperation between the U.S. and Taiwan has also strengthened, with five-year military support worth up to $10 billion, enshrined in the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2023. The U.S. is in negotiations with Taiwan to pre-stockpile U.S. ammunition on the island, anticipating potential disruptions in arms supply during a blockade.
Taiwan remains vigilant as it prepares for any eventuality of a military invasion, while regional tensions continue to escalate.
