Shock and awe in the Pacific as China prepares to blockade Taiwan and triggers panic in the United States over so called war barges

The Asia Pacific region is smelling of gunpowder, as the Chinese Navy is expanding at breakneck speed and openly preparing to challenge the United States in the region.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) carried out large scale exercises around Taiwan, an island enclave of China that Washington has effectively declared its protectorate.
The message sent by China is simple and clear. Taiwan is Chinese territory and any foreign involvement will be repelled.

Cutting off Taiwan

In December, the United States announced arms sales to Taiwan worth 11 billion dollars, including 82 HIMARS launchers, 420 short range ATACMS missiles, long range drones, armored vehicles, air defense systems, satellite internet terminals and much more.
Washington once again intervened on territory that the international community formally considers Chinese. And Beijing responded.
The PLA exercises under the name Mission of Justice, which began in late December, were conducted on an unprecedented scale, involving dozens of ships, hundreds of aircraft and thousands of soldiers and sailors.
They were clearly operational and strategic in nature, meaning preparation for a major regional war.
An amphibious landing on the island was not yet practiced. From the scenario it appears that the Chinese are training for the complete isolation of a potential theater of operations.
This involves a total naval blockade of Taiwan, aimed at forcing surrender without a massive amphibious operation.
The PLA Eastern Theater Command deployed forces in the Taiwan Strait and in the northern, southwestern, southeastern and eastern maritime zones.
The Chinese fleet blocked all shipping routes and temporarily took control of key ports, Keelung, Taipei, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung.
The blockade from the north deters Japan, while from the east, southeast and southwest it cuts off access for the United States.
Complete isolation from energy supplies and military assistance, and achieved without a significant concentration of forces. Within just a few days, the message was delivered clearly.

War barges

At the same time, China is demonstrating impressive flexibility in the use of its navy.
In addition to already possessing more warships than the United States, it is also mobilizing its civilian fleet.
Dozens or even hundreds of so called innocent vessels are ready for military use.
Beijing is introducing a new type of ship, unofficially referred to as a war barge.
The press service of the People’s Liberation Army published photographs of civilian bulk carriers in the port of Shanghai, equipped with weapons hidden inside standard containers.
Among them are YJ 18A anti ship missiles with a range of 350 to 550 km, HHQ 9 naval air defense systems with a range of 200 to 250 km, the most advanced HQ 26 systems, as well as S and X band radars similar to those of Type 052D destroyers.
Additionally, there are Type 730 and Type 1130 anti aircraft guns capable of intercepting missiles up to Mach 4.
Essentially, a civilian ship is transformed into a multifunctional missile platform that externally resembles a simple commercial vessel, until the containers are opened.

Global leader in shipbuilding

Even the Pentagon acknowledges the acceleration of the Chinese navy.
In the report China’s Defense and Security Developments, it is noted that China possesses the largest shipbuilding industry in the world, capable of fully meeting the needs of its fleet.
In 2024, the aircraft carrier Fujian completed trials and conducted its first arrested landing.
At the end of the same year, the amphibious Project 076 was launched, while in 2025 the new frigate Project 054B entered service. At the same time, submarine launched UAVs are being developed.
China already exports warships to Bangladesh, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan and Thailand. According to the Pentagon, exports will increase.
Today, the Chinese Navy surpasses the American one in the number of ships and submarines, and the gap is widening.
If current rates continue, China will displace the United States from the Asia Pacific region in the coming decades.

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