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Outpost tension
The archipelago is of strategic importance when it is located on the southern edge of the perimeter protection strategy that Taipei has built to prevent mainland Chinese military forces from straying away in the event of war breaking out. In contrast, for Beijing, Dong Sa is a possible springboard to land in southern Taiwan.
Not only that, for Beijing, Dong Sa is also an area to block activities between Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Additionally, Dong Sa stands at the gateway to the Ba Si Channel, which is on the journey that the Chinese navy often uses to advance into the Western Pacific or cross into the East Sea and then into the South Pacific.
Due to the above factors, Dong Sa becomes a hot spot when the relationship between the two shores of the Taiwan Strait is strained. From mid-2020 until now, both Taipei and Beijing have had many military movements around the archipelago. Mainland China has recently sent fighter jets repeatedly to invade the airspace around the archipelago.
If it attacks Dongsha, Beijing could refer to it as an “internal problem”, as Taipei controlled the archipelago.
Beijing Action Scenario
Specifically, former Colonel Schuster said that Beijing can mobilize ships to prevent Taiwanese ships from transporting goods to neighboring islands and Dong Sa. Law enforcement vessels can use the pretext to verify the origin of the goods, organize a search. This approach puts economic pressure on Taiwan and, at the same time, helps Beijing establish administrative control over the waters. Accompanying these activities, mainland Chinese customs can coordinate with the militia to put pressure on Taiwanese fishing boats operating in the area.
On the military side, Beijing can deploy the mainland Chinese air force combat force to intercept Taiwanese civilian and military aircraft, in order to force Taiwanese aircraft to leave the air areas of the Dong Sa archipelago. With the above measures, Beijing will gradually blockade Pratas. In addition, mainland China can continue to strengthen amphibious assault drills and airstrike drills to increasingly strengthen military pressure to threaten Taiwan.
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German warships are about to return to the South China Sea Reuters on March 3 quoted German officials as saying that the country’s escort ship would set sail for Asia in August, becoming the first German warship to cross the South China Sea since 2002. Defense officials and senior diplomatic officials German said the ship would not enter for 12 miles, referring to some of the disputed areas in these crowded waters. The ship is expected to stay in Asia for a time and receive fuel and essentials from France’s overseas territories. Khanh An |
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