China accelerates military readiness for a surprise attack on Taiwan

China is now capable of launching a surprise attack on Taiwan faster than ever before, according to Taiwanese and American officials and experts. The Chinese military has significantly increased its readiness with faster air strikes, modern missile systems, and better-trained amphibious troops, as reported by the Financial Times.

Analysts note that the Chinese air force and missile troops have been strengthened to the point where they can 'switch from peacetime to wartime operations at any time.' Continuous amphibious exercises near departure ports, standby army aviation units, and a new missile system capable of hitting any point on the island are part of the preparations for a potential attack on Taiwan.

The Taiwanese Ministry of Defense now records over 245 combat aircraft from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) entering Taiwan's air defense zone monthly, compared to fewer than ten per month five years ago. Additionally, the PLA crosses the midline in the Taiwan Strait 120 times a month, erasing what was once an unofficial boundary.

On the sea, China has also strengthened its position. Since 2022, the Chinese navy has maintained a varying presence of warships in strategic passages like the Miyako Strait and the Bashi Channel. American defense officials report that the PLA and the Chinese coast guard deploy around twelve ships permanently around Taiwan, enabling them to 'form a blockade within hours.'

According to U.S. intelligence, President Xi Jinping ordered the PLA in 2019 to develop the capacity to invade Taiwan by 2027. Since 2015, Xi has restructured the PLA's command structure and units, with significant changes in ground troops, which provide the bulk of the hundreds of thousands of troops needed to take and occupy Taiwan.