Blockade by Fire: China's Potential to Blockade Taiwan Using Missile Attacks on Ports

Analysts worry that China might use military force to try to reunify with Taiwan. Many focus on invasion scenarios, but some say a blockade is a less risky way for China to compel Taiwan to capitulate. This article points out undesirable features of a traditional blockade. But a military campaign analysis of a blockade using standoff missile strikes suggests that China likely can substantially suppress Taiwan’s trade, at relatively low escalation risk, without depleting its scarce and expensive fleet.