Archive · 20 Nov 2025
China's Civilian 'Shadow Navy' Practices for Taiwan Invasion
China is practicing how to invade Taiwan using civilian ships instead of military ones.
They're testing ways to quickly unload soldiers and equipment onto beaches.
Taiwan and the U.S. are watching closely, and Taiwan says it's prepared with plans to defend itself.
China's military rehearsed an invasion of Taiwan using civilian cargo ships and ferries
Satellite images show these vessels conducting beach landings in Guangdong Province
Experts say this strategy aims to overwhelm Taiwan's defenders by landing troops simultaneously on multiple beaches
China's defense ministry did not respond to a request for comment
Taiwan's defense ministry maintains 'continuous oversight' of China's use of roll-on, roll-off vessels
- Who
- China's People's Liberation Army
- What
- Practiced an amphibious invasion of Taiwan using civilian cargo ships and ferries
- When
- In mid-August 2023
- Where
- In Guangdong Province, China
- Why
- To develop techniques for a potential invasion of Taiwan
Taiwanese Defense Perspective
Chinese Foreign Ministry Perspective
Taiwan's Defense Capabilities
Taiwanese Defense Perspective
Taiwan maintains 'continuous oversight' of China's use of roll-on, roll-off vessels and has developed contingency plans
Chinese Foreign Ministry Perspective
The Taiwan question is purely an internal affair of China, and how to resolve it is entirely a matter for the Chinese people
- Vessels Involved
- 12 civilian vessels - 6 roll-on, roll-off car ferries and 6 deck cargo ships
- Beach Landing Location
- Near Jiesheng in Guangdong Province
- Taiwan's Defense Strategy
- Maintains 'continuous oversight' of China's use of roll-on, roll-off vessels
- U.S. Policy on Taiwan
- Strategic ambiguity, though President Biden has confirmed U.S. forces would defend Taiwan if attacked
- Taiwan's Population
- 23 million people
