# Taiwan Strait
Latest news and articles about Taiwan Strait
Total: 80 articles found
Beyond the Coast: China’s New HQ-16F Missile Signals a Leap in Integrated Air Defense
The PLA has debuted the HQ-16F medium-to-long-range air defense system during live-fire drills in China's northwest. The missile features a wingless design and Mach 5 speeds, representing a major upgrade for units like the 73rd Group Army stationed near the Taiwan Strait.
The Island Fortress Fallacy: Debating Taiwan’s Shift to Asymmetric Warfare
Taiwan's military is facing internal and external skepticism over its 'asymmetric warfare' strategy, which draws inspiration from recent Middle Eastern and European conflicts. Critics argue that Taiwan’s unique island geography and lack of strategic depth make these military comparisons irrelevant and the 'porcupine' strategy potentially disastrous.
Projecting Power: China’s 'Guangxi' LHD Signals the Maturation of PLA Amphibious Might
Recent combat training footage of the Type 075 'Guangxi' amphibious assault ship highlights China's growing ability to conduct large-scale expeditionary operations. This maturation of the PLAN's amphibious fleet signifies a shift toward high-intensity readiness in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.
Beijing’s Megaphone Diplomacy: Maritime Encroachment and the New Normal in the Taiwan Strait
Beijing is intensifying its use of maritime law enforcement to assert sovereignty over the Taiwan Strait, using direct verbal confrontations to erode Taiwan's administrative authority. This shift toward 'gray zone' tactics aims to normalize Chinese presence and dismantle long-standing maritime boundaries without triggering a full-scale military conflict.
Beijing’s 'Gray Zone' Tightens: Maritime Enforcement Moves East of Taiwan
China has initiated a specialized maritime law enforcement operation in the waters east of Taiwan, marking a significant push to normalize its presence on the island's Pacific side. This maneuver utilizes civilian-led enforcement to assert jurisdictional control while avoiding the political optics of direct military escalation.
Shadows in the Strait: How Low-Cost Autonomous Drones are Rewriting Maritime Surveillance
The successful deployment of the Seasats Lightfish USV in the Taiwan Strait highlights a new era of persistent, low-cost maritime surveillance. By exploiting legal gray zones and utilizing solar-powered autonomy, these drones provide the U.S. with a high-endurance intelligence tool that complicates China's regional maritime strategy.
The Spear Replaces the Shield: Japan’s Strategic Fortification of the Ryukyu Islands
Japan is rapidly transforming its Southwest Islands into a militarized front through joint exercises with the U.S. and the deployment of long-range offensive weaponry. This strategic shift from 'exclusive defense' to active strike capability is backed by significant structural military upgrades and total-war logistical preparations, deeply impacting East Asian stability.
Dutch Navy Enters the Fray: Beijing Reacts to Rare European Transit of the Taiwan Strait
The Chinese military tracked and photographed a Dutch warship transiting the Taiwan Strait, marking a rare European intervention in the sensitive waterway. The event highlights the growing internationalization of the Taiwan issue as European powers increasingly join U.S.-led efforts to assert maritime freedom in the Indo-Pacific.
The Vanishing Carrier: Japan’s Naval Blind Spot and the Looming Battle for the Ryukyus
A 2026 incident in which Japan lost track of the Chinese carrier Liaoning for seven days has highlighted growing gaps in Pacific surveillance. As China deploys J-35 stealth fighters to its carrier fleet and Japan begins mass evacuations of its southwestern islands, the region is shifting from a policy of containment to one of active frontline defense.
NATO’s Pivot to the Pacific: Dutch Naval Transit Sparks Beijing’s Ire
A Dutch naval transit through the Taiwan Strait has triggered a military response and diplomatic condemnation from China's Eastern Theater Command. The incident highlights the growing involvement of European powers in Indo-Pacific maritime security, challenging Beijing's regional claims.
The 96-Hour Silence: Beijing’s Strategic Caution and the Era of 'Managed Coexistence'
China and the U.S. have entered a phase of 'managed coexistence' following maritime security talks in Hawaii. Despite optimistic political rhetoric, deep-seated tensions over Taiwan arms sales and sovereignty remain the primary obstacles to a genuine military thaw.
Washington’s Strategic Pivot: How US-China De-escalation is Rattling Indo-Pacific Allies
Recent high-level military talks between the U.S. and China have led to a visible de-escalation in rhetoric, particularly regarding Taiwan. This shift toward 'constructive strategic stability' is creating uncertainty for allies like Japan and the Philippines, who face pressure to increase their own defense spending while the U.S. prioritizes crisis management with Beijing.