Taipei [Taiwan] : A new report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) has raised alarm over China’s potential invasion strategy for Taiwan, revealing that Beijing would rely heavily on capturing Taiwan’s key port facilities due to the island’s lack of suitable beaches for large-scale amphibious landings.
The ASPI study finds that Taiwan’s 14 viable beaches are too narrow, heavily exposed, and structurally inadequate for sustained landings, making them likely “kill zones” for defenders. Defence analyst Ian Easton emphasised that the success of a Chinese invasion would likely depend on Beijing’s ability to seize and utilise Taiwan’s major ports for continued military logistics and reinforcement.
Despite China’s recent demonstration of enhanced beach landing capabilities, ASPI asserts that ports—not beaches—would be the primary objective in any full-scale invasion scenario.
One of Taiwan’s most promising, yet underdeveloped, defensive strategies lies in the use of naval mines. Sea mines are relatively inexpensive, difficult to detect, and capable of stalling or deterring Chinese amphibious assaults. However, Taiwan currently operates only four Min Jiang-class minelaying ships, with another ten not expected to be operational for several more years.
The report also warns of Beijing’s willingness to absorb heavy losses to achieve strategic goals. Retired Royal Navy Captain Chris O’Flaherty noted, “If you are willing to incur significant losses, you can breach the minefield and push through, accepting all losses of personnel and equipment.”
Although U.S. military support, including submarines and stealth bombers capable of deploying mines, could bolster Taiwan’s defenses, the report cautions against relying entirely on American support—especially under the uncertain foreign policy approach of former President Donald Trump, should he return to office.