Taiwan fortifies frontline islands amid growing China threat — Reuters
Photo: Taiwanese military (Getty Images)
Taiwan is preparing the strategically important Penghu archipelago for a possible Chinese attack. According to military estimates, these 90 islands will bear the brunt of the first wave in the event of an attempted invasion, Reuters reports.
On the islands, which are strategically important for Taiwan's defense, troops are preparing for a possible first strike by China. If Beijing decides to attack, this is where the front line will be.
According to high-ranking Taiwanese officials and military experts, the Penghu Archipelago, a cluster of 90 islands and islets known for its pristine beaches and coral reefs, could be targeted in the first wave of an invasion attempt.
Holding on to Penghu would allow Taiwan to counter the Chinese navy as it advances toward the main island. Therefore, to prevent its own ships and aircraft from becoming targets, Beijing would have to either capture Penghu or destroy the garrison’s long-range missiles.
How to deter invasion
By deploying longer-range weapons on Penghu, specifically Hsiung Feng III missiles, Taiwan is capable of complicating the People's Liberation Army’s ability to amass forces along the coast. A high-ranking Taiwanese official told the agency about this.
According to him, such forces can be attacked even before they cross the strait.
If Penghu is captured, the entire Taiwan Strait will effectively fall into China's hands, noted the source, who wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the topic.
How Taiwan fortifying Islands
Preparations on Penghu are already evident on the ground. During August exercises, the Taiwanese military practiced repelling an amphibious landing using tanks, artillery, mortars, and infantry.
At that time, Hsiung mobile anti-ship missile systems were deployed on the islands for the first time. Even earlier, in July, the first drone unit was established on Penghu.
Beijing's response
The Chinese Ministry of Defense did not respond to a request for comment regarding Penghu. Earlier this year, ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin described Taiwan's plans to fortify the islands as increasingly absurd and delusional and warned of the destruction of Taipei if it provoked a war.
These military concerns were also confirmed by command-post exercises conducted last year with the participation of retired officers from the US, Taiwan, and Japan. According to their scenario, Penghu fell just one day after China launched surprise long-range strikes against military and infrastructure targets across Taiwan.
The rapid surrender stunned the Taiwanese participants in the exercises, which were organized by a think tank in Taipei. This is stated in a summary report reviewed by the agency.
In June, Taiwan fired HIMARS rockets toward the Taiwan Strait for the first time, demonstrating how the island could repel a Chinese attack.
And in late 2025, the US approved the largest military aid package in history for Taiwan to strengthen the island’s defenses.
