By Micah McCartneyShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberNew satellite imagery shows China testing its landing barges, which analysts say appear tailor-made for an invasion of Taiwan.
Why It Matters
China’s navy is now the world’s largest by hull count, boasting more than 370 warships and submarines.
Among these new vessels are landing docks, more advanced amphibious assault ships, and specialized landing barges analysts have dubbed Shui Qiao, or "water bridges," that appear purpose-built for a potential beach landing in an attack on Taiwan.
China claims the self-ruled island as its territory and has vowed to bring it into the fold, through force if necessary. Beijing's forces have in recent years ratcheted up pressure through large-scale military drills and near-daily air sorties across the median line of the Taiwan Strait.
Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry via email for comment outside of office hours.
What To Know
Satellite imagery shared by open-source analyst Brady Africk on X showed three of China’s so-called Shui Qiang landing barges off the coast of Ningbo in Zhejiang province on November 20.
A separate photo captured by European Space Agency satellites and reviewed by Newsweek shows three barges linked together.
Loading twitter content...
Each barge is equipped with a 400-foot deployable roadway that extends from the bow. With multiple vessels connected, the trucks and tanks can be transferred from incoming ships and directly onto coastal roads on the far side of a beach.
Experts note that the Shui Qiao would be easy targets, however, and would require substantial air and naval cover to operate effectively in a real assault.
Taiwan, meanwhile, has been stepping up its defenses, including the deployment of HIMARS missile systems, indigenous missiles, and naval vessels, as well as increasing defense spending and extending compulsory military service to 1 year from 4 months.
...What People Are Saying
Bryce Barros, a security analyst and associate fellow at the think tank GLOBSEC, previously told Newsweek:“Everything about whether or not they can be used effectively depends on China having full control of the waters and skies around Taiwan. They’re very slow; they’re very large; and they’re huge targets. That means they’d need strong air defense, counter-drone systems, and protection against unmanned surface and underwater vehicles.”
What Happens Next
U.S. officials believe Xi has ordered the Chinese military to be capable of taking Taiwan by 2027, though they emphasize this does not mean he has decided when or whether to launch an attack.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Taiwan President Lai announced plans to further increase defense spending with a “special” military budget of $40 billion, citing China’s “speeding up military preparations to take Taiwan by force.”
Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines
Add Newsweek as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Recommended For You
WorldChina Closes Military Power Gap With US4 min read
WorldNATO Country Stops Using Fighting Vehicle After Vibrations Make Troops Sick2 min read
PoliticsHow China’s Growing Nuclear Strength Is Keeping Russia in Check11 min read
AnalysisSudan Divided Again Tests Trump’s Peace Plan and Puts Africa on the Brink12 min read
WorldNATO Nation Bordering Russia Boosts HIMARS Arsenal4 min read
PoliticsCourt Rules Virginia Giuffre Died Without a Will, Appoints Administrator5 min readRelated Podcasts
Top Stories
WorldPutin Gives Update on Ukraine Peace, Trump Sending Witkoff to Moscow: Live Updates3 min read
NewsUncommon Knowledge: Don’t Blame Trump for the Gerrymander Paradox8 min read
Live BlogThanksgiving Winter Storm Live Tracker, 2,000 Flights Delayed, Up To 3ft Of Snow Expected1 min read
NewsTrump Admin Faces Lawsuit After SNAP Benefits Taken Away From Immigrants1 min read
NewsHong Kong High-Rise Fire Kills 36, Hundreds Missing as Blaze Spreads3 min read
NewsDonald Trump Suffers Supreme Court Setback3 min readTrending
MoneyNew ‘Cash Law’ Could Change Grocery Store Rules3 min read
U.S. Economy‘Mass Blackout’ Starts Today: What to Know3 min read
SnowfallWinter Storm Warning Issued As 25 Inches of Snow To Strike5 min read
Home PricesPrice Correction ‘Worse Than 2008’ Coming To US Housing Market—Analyst5 min read
ArkansasRepublican Switches Party To Democrats Amid Concerns About Affordability3 min readOpinion
OpinionINTERPOL Must Not Elect One of Its Chief Abusers As Its Next President | Opinion4 min read
OpinionThanksgiving in America | Opinion5 min read
OpinionWhen Strength Becomes a Burden—Reimagining the Strong Black Woman | Opinion4 min read
OpinionConventional Wisdom: Trump Turkey Pardoning Edition3 min read
