FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Alert levels are rising again on the island after Chinese exercises in the area and comments from Xi Jinping. Could Beijing copy the US operation in Venezuela?
Thousands of kilometers separate Venezuela from Taiwan, but after the American operation that led to the arrest of Nicolas Maduro, Caracas and Taipei seem closer than ever.
While Chinese authorities officially condemn the US intervention in South America, described by Beijing's Foreign Ministry as a "clear violation of international law", comments are flooding social media in the People's Republic, seeing the Delta Force raid as a model for a surprise attack on the island and the capture of President William Lai.
Whether China is considering a swift intervention or not, alarm is rising again. In his New Year's address, President Xi Jinping described reunification with the "rebellious province" as "unstoppable."
A few days ago, Beijing launched the "Mission Justice 2025" exercises around the island, including several areas of the Taiwan Strait. Announcing the exercises, the People's Liberation Army made it clear that it intended to "send a serious warning to separatist forces seeking the island's independence and external intervention forces."
The Asian giant's military stressed that the exercises, during which China fired missiles at the island and simulated a blockade of its ports, are a "legitimate and necessary" action to "protect sovereignty and territorial integrity" and are intended to "test the joint combat capability of the operational theater."
In response to the maneuvers, Taiwan said it had deployed "appropriate forces" but made no secret of its concern. The alert on the island has increased, now focused on approximately 20 "red beaches", parts of the Taiwanese coast that Beijing could use, in the event of an invasion, to land its soldiers.
Of all the coastal areas, the most strategically valuable is Linkou Beach, part of New Taipei City, which surrounds the capital. This, analysts say, is one of the most dangerous places in Taiwan, if not the world.
Linkou Beach is located not far from Taiwan's largest airport and Taipei Harbor, bordering the mouth of the Tamsui River, which flows through the center of the capital. Tzu-yun Su, director of the National Defense Research Institute, told the Daily Telegraph that "occupying this area would sever Taiwan's main external links with Taipei, isolating the capital, cutting off its food supply and damaging morale."
"Essentially," the expert warns, "a blitzkrieg-style campaign." According to experts, if Chinese forces were to reach Linkou, although not an easy target, they would be able to enter Taiwan's main control centers in less than an hour.
Not all experts are convinced that Beijing would launch its attack on the rebellious province with a large-scale amphibious assault. Some raise the possibility that the Asian giant, in such a scenario, would be prepared to launch cyberattacks and naval blockades.
The possibility of a Chinese D-Day, despite the difficulties associated with the obstructive conditions in the Taiwan Strait, cannot be ruled out. In that case, to reach the red beaches, Xi Jinping's army could rely on ships anchored on the seabed and connected by extendable bridges that could connect to the mainland or to other boats and ships.
Experts consulted by the British newspaper expressed skepticism about China's ability to land troops on the island, noting that changes in sea level and construction along the coast have made all beaches unusable for an amphibious assault operation. / Pamphlet /
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