Newspaper: China tests advanced floating bridge in major military drill near Taiwan PHOTO

The People's Republic of China has introduced an innovative military system in a recent exercise near Taiwan, raising concerns about Beijing’s evolving capabilities.

According to satellite images and reports from Chinese state media, the exercise involved giant barges linked together to form a floating bridge approximately 2,700 meters long, Caliber.Az reports citing "Türkiye" newspaper.

Civilian ferries with vehicle-carrying capacity were docked at the structure, facilitating simulated landings.

Chinese state media described the structure as “a combination of a port and a bridge.” Military analysts in China suggest that this system could enable landing troops to reach shore more efficiently, reducing deployment time and minimizing potential casualties.

The introduction of this technology is seen as a strategic warning for Taiwan. Until now, the challenging conditions of the Taiwan Strait have been a significant obstacle to Beijing’s military operations. However, this new mobile infrastructure could allow Chinese forces to land in coastal areas previously considered difficult to access.

The images indicate that ships carrying vehicles can approach the floating bridge directly, unloading tanks and armored personnel carriers onto the structure.

China’s People's Liberation Army (PLA) launched large-scale military drills near Taiwan on April 1, involving naval, air, missile, and ground forces in a demonstration of strength designed to test combat readiness and apply pressure on the island.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense has been closely tracking Chinese military activity in recent weeks. On March 22, Taipei reported that 47 Chinese aircraft and seven naval vessels had approached the island. Of these, 41 aircraft crossed the median line into Taiwan’s northern, southwestern, and eastern air defense zones. Taiwan’s defense forces responded by monitoring the movements and deploying countermeasures.

Earlier, on March 18, Taiwan designated 2027 as the year a potential Chinese invasion could occur. In preparation, the island has been conducting its own military drills to counter a possible blockade or attack.

The United States has also been monitoring China’s increasing military activity. The Pentagon, along with Taiwanese authorities and defense experts, has been assessing scenarios in which Beijing might attempt to isolate Taiwan through economic and military pressure rather than a direct full-scale invasion.

By Tamilla Hasanova