The Chinese May Have Already Imposed A Blockade Of Taiwan – Neither That Nation Nor The United States Is Prepared For What Comes Next

In regard to Taiwan, the evidence has been seemingly overwhelming for some time. The Chinese have made clear their intention to regain control of the island. They have maintained air and sea forces in positions around the island almost continuously for a long period of time now. They have positioned themselves to impose a blockade, starve the island nation out and force it to accept “reunification”.

We have done nothing material in response.

Now we have moved from threats to action. The Chinese have now announced their maritime forces will begin stopping and “inspecting” vessels coming and going from Taiwan. As of now this “exercise” will last for a few days. There is nothing to prevent the Chinese from extending that period. There is nothing to stop them from doing this for a few days, standing down and then, at their discretion, imposing a continuous full blockade of Taiwan next week or next month.

As Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen sat down for meetings with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Beijing announced it was beginning a special operation near Taiwan.

“Special joint patrol and inspection operation began today in the central and northern parts of the Taiwan Strait,” the Chinese Maritime Safety Administration said yesterday.  This came in the wake of a statement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry that McCarthy’s meeting with Tsai Ing-Wen violated the CCP’s One China principle. The CCP has previously made clear that such violations constitute the crossing of a “red line” for China.

The “operation” launched by China involves the deployment of forces to two zones to the east of Taiwan.  Per Beijing, Chinese forces will operate in these areas and inspect vessels operating in these areas. That “inspection” expressly includes boarding vessels coming in and out of Taiwan.

Taiwan has announced it will not cooperate with Chinese efforts to stop and inspect ships. The stage is now set for a confrontation at sea. We could literally at any time have an exchange of fire. We could just as easily have foreign vessels refuse to test the Chinese “inspection” operation and stop moving in and out of Taiwan.

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