Is China preparing a plan to invade Taiwan?

China is building at least five new special-purpose barges. They appear to be designed for amphibious operations.

Defence analysts monitoring Chinese shipyards have noticed an increase in a certain type of vessel. Several special and unusual barges, at least three, but probably five or more, have been spotted at the Guangzhou shipyard in southern China.

They feature unusually long road decks extending from the bow. The configuration makes them particularly useful for the future landing of Chinese troops in Taiwan. In addition, the ships can enable the unloading of a large number of tanks onto Taiwanese roads.

The construction of these specialised barges is one of the indicators that defence analysts monitor to raise the alarm in the event of a potential invasion.

These vessels may have a civilian function. But according to analysts, the construction of so many of them, much larger than similar civilian vessels which have been recorded previously, makes this scenario unlikely.

(MH with AmBar - Source: Agency - Photo: ©Unsplash)