TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China is using civilian cargo ships and ferries as a “shadow navy” to rehearse invasion beach landings on Taiwan, according to a Reuters investigation.
The report found the PLA is testing methods to accelerate simultaneous troop and equipment landings on multiple beaches. Military experts commented that the goal is to overwhelm Taiwan’s defenses.
Reuters identified 12 civilian vessels, six roll-on/roll-off ferries and six deck cargo ships, that went to a beach near Jiesheng in Guangdong Province in mid-August. Satellite images showed some of these ships conducting shore landings on Aug. 23.
Deck cargo ships were seen using built-in ramps to unload vehicles directly onto the beach. These 90-meter vessels, common in Asian commercial shipping, have shallow drafts and open decks that allow them to operate without port infrastructure.
The exercises also included a floating pier system, unseen publicly since 2023. Naval experts say this shows China is continuing to develop rapidly deployable infrastructure to land troops and equipment.
Retired General Staff chief Lee Hsi-ming (李喜明) said satellite imagery shows China developing the ability to carry out multiple small-scale amphibious landings with swarms of vessels. This approach, he added, is harder for Taiwan to defend against than concentrating landings at a few points.
During China’s August drills, Reuters counted at least 330 vehicles on and near the beach. Some were grouped at landing points, suggesting they may have arrived on the shadow navy ships.
Retired Taiwanese naval officer Yuster Yu (于孝斌) said the findings indicate China is drafting concrete invasion plans. “This kind of thing worries me more than their aircraft carriers. It shows they are serious about putting troops on the ground," he said.
However, a senior Taiwanese defense official, speaking anonymously, questioned the feasibility of using civilian ships in an actual invasion. The official said these vessels would be vulnerable to shoulder-fired missiles and other small weapons.
He added that China may be using such exercises for “cognitive warfare,” aiming to sap morale in Taiwan and among its allies. The official said the psychological effect posed a “bigger threat” than the maneuvers shown in the drills.
