New images have emerged showing a Chinese cargo ship loaded with containerized missile launchers, radars, and close-in defenses. This development highlights China"s ongoing efforts to militarize commercial vessels, which includes using ferries in the Taiwan Strait as troop transports and fishing fleets for intelligence purposes. The trend blurs the line between civilian ships and the People"s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy.
These recent developments are part of a broader strategy by China to enhance its military capabilities while utilizing commercial hulls for military purposes. This approach raises concerns about the potential for increased military activity in the region.
For further context on China"s military advancements, see recent developments regarding China"s first-generation modern Q-ship, which features 60 vertical launch system (VLS) cells.
