The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is conducting largest naval surge yet of the first island chain. 90 vessels of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and the PLA Coast Guard equivalents are involved.
In September while I was in Taiwan with 11 other journalists, Taiwanese national security officials shared they expected a formal "quarantine" of the nation by the PRC within six months. Remember, we “quarantined” Cuba in 1962, we did not blockade.
A likely indicator of the real "Go" code is if the three Chinese carriers are at sea or ready for immediate movement, one at the top, one at the bottom, one to the Pacific side of Taiwan.
The three appear to be in port or in immediate coastal waters at this time. There are three American Carrier Strike Groups to the West of Hawaii. Air Force A-10s are arriving at Clark Air Base in the PI to support the 1st Island Chain left flank and strategic partner, the Philippines. A-10s will provide ferocious support of the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard if necessary.
Will the PRC move to formal quarantine before January 20, 2025? Maybe - more likely they will ratchet up their worldwide, malign influence, destabilization campaign to maintain plausible deniability and distract American attention. The Salt Typhoon cyber blitz is just one Line of Effort in this holistic campaign.
Map to follow in the next few days
