Challenges of a Chinese Invasion of Taiwan: The Battle for Ports

The potential invasion of Taiwan by China presents a formidable strategic challenge, primarily hinging on the ability to seize critical port facilities. For China, securing a port such as Keelung harbor is pivotal in facilitating the rapid deployment and supply of armored vehicles and reinforcements.

Importance of Ports in Amphibious Invasions

Successful amphibious invasions rely on two main elements:

• Storming the beach: Establishing an initial foothold.
• Seizing a port: Crucial for logistical operations, as ports allow the unloading of heavy equipment directly from ships.

Without a secured port, supplies and reinforcements face logistical nightmares, as they have to be laboriously transported via beaches or airlifted, both options being time-consuming and risky.

China’s Strategic Considerations

Chinese military strategists are acutely aware of these challenges. As Ian Easton, a naval analyst, notes, control of Taiwan’s major ports is considered crucial for a successful invasion. A significant focus is on commercial or industrial ports, perfect for offloading large quantities of materials swiftly.

However, Taiwan may fortify these ports, employing tactics such as:

• Installing defensive mines and obstacles.
• Sinking ships to block access channels.
• Pouring oil into the water to ignite potential invaders.

Potential Strategies for Port Seizure

Easton outlines that the PLA (People’s Liberation Army) might consider various strategies for capturing these ports, each with potential downsides:

• Direct assaults: High risk due to fortified defenses.
• Pincer attacks: Involves landing on either side of a port but is time-intensive.
• Surprise attacks with hovercraft and helicopters: Limited by transport capacity.
• Large air assaults: Threatened by robust Taiwanese anti-aircraft defenses.
• Special operations forces: May lack the firepower for prolonged engagements.
• Beach assaults: Risks of being counter-attacked by Taiwanese forces.

A Combined Approach

Chinese military writings suggest an inclination towards a layered approach. This includes:

• Heavy air and missile bombardments before ground operations.
• Special forces targeting defenses to pave the way for larger amphibious assaults.
• Utilizing a mix of hovercraft, helicopters, and ultralights for rapid deployment.

Once ashore, the PLA plans to use pincer movements to encircle port zones, isolating defensive positions. Post-seizure strategies involve securing the port against counterattacks and repairing port facilities for operational use.

Targeted Ports for Invasion

Chinese strategists identify ports that could facilitate the deployment of tanks and heavy equipment as prime targets. Easton suggests that, on Taiwan’s west coast, Taichung is the most likely target, followed by Kaohsiung, Mailiao, Anping, and even the capital, Taipei.

Lessons from History

Historical military precedents caution against the direct assault of fortified ports, exemplified by the costly raid on Dieppe in World War II. Instead, successful invasions, like Normandy’s, emphasize gaining ground via beaches and securing ports subsequently.

Maintaining a functional port is crucial as heavily damaged facilities, such as those captured in Brest and Cherbourg, were unusable for extended periods.

Strengthening Taiwan’s Port Defenses

Easton advocates that Taiwan bolster its defenses through:

• Enhancing missile and mine capabilities.
• Training specialized units for urban and port defense warfare.
• Addressing potential espionage concerns by isolating strategic infrastructure from Chinese influence.

Ultimately, the confrontation over Taiwanese ports could make or break a Chinese invasion attempt. The logistical demands of transporting vast numbers of troops and equipment across the strait highlight the ports’ significance in this geopolitical equation.

Defense writer Michael Peck underscores that the control of ports is vital for sustaining the logistical demands of a large-scale amphibious invasion, emphasizing that any failure in this domain could spell disaster for the invading forces.

Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/chinese-invasion-taiwan-seizing-ports-2024-12