China is reportedly building a series of 'D-Day style' barges that could potentially aid in an invasion of Taiwan, as per media reports. At least three of these new craft have been sighted at Guangzhou Shipyard in southern China, according to Naval News. These barges draw inspiration from the World War II 'Mulberry harbours,' which were portable harbors constructed for the Allied campaign in Normandy, France, in 1944.
Tensions between China and Taiwan, a significant U.S. partner in the Indo-Pacific region, have remained heightened due to Beijing's refusal to acknowledge the independence of Taiwan. Naval News reported last week that at least three, but likely five or more, barges were observed at China's Guangzhou Shipyard. These barges, measuring over 390 feet, are designed to reach a coastal road or hard surface beyond a beach.
In his New Year's message, Chinese leader Xi Jinping emphasized that 'reunification' with Taiwan is inevitable, stating, 'The people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are one family. No one can sever our family bonds, and no one can stop the historical trend of national reunification,' on CCTV, China’s state broadcaster.
By utilizing these barges, Chinese forces could potentially land in areas previously deemed unsuitable, including rocky or soft terrain and beaches where heavy equipment like tanks can be transported to firmer ground or a coastal road. Emma Salisbury, a sea power research fellow at the Council on Geostrategy, highlighted the necessity of a large number of ships for any potential invasion of Taiwan from the mainland to swiftly transport personnel and equipment across the strait, particularly land assets such as armored vehicles. She suggested that the construction of ships capable of facilitating this transportation could be a preparation for an invasion or a strategic move to provide China with leverage.
