Beijing [China]: China recently conducted amphibious landing drills in the South China Sea, deploying specially designed vessels capable of swiftly unloading military vehicles and troops onto beaches, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported.
Key Details
✅ The drills reportedly took place between March 4 and March 11 in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province — home to China’s South Sea Fleet.
✅ Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite imagery identified three large barges in the area. These vessels, often dubbed “invasion barges,” are capable of delivering heavy equipment and troops directly onto shorelines.
✅ Images shared on Chinese social media showed the barges forming a temporary “bridge” to allow military vehicles such as tanks to disembark.
Strategic Implications
🟠 Zhanjiang’s location is significant as it sits approximately:
- 1,000 km (620 miles) west of Taiwan
- 1,100 km (680 miles) northwest of the Philippines
This positioning underscores Beijing’s focus on strengthening its presence in contested regions.
Expert Analysis
Geo-intelligence researcher Damien Symon confirmed the drills’ timing and location, though it’s unclear if the exercises are still ongoing. Analysts interpret these amphibious drills as preparation for potential conflict scenarios, particularly concerning Taiwan.
Rising Tensions
🇨🇳 China has ramped up its military activities in the South China Sea, with frequent amphibious and naval operations. The recent drills come amid renewed tensions over Taiwan’s self-rule.
🇹🇼 Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory and has not ruled out using military force to assert control. Recently, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated that “reunification with Taiwan is inevitable, and China will make it happen.”
Regional Impact
The military buildup continues to raise concerns among neighboring nations, particularly those with strategic interests in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.