Taiwan fortifies Penghu islands against potential Chinese attack

Taiwan is strengthening defenses on the Penghu archipelago, where troops and civilians are preparing for a potential Chinese first strike, Reuters reported.

The cluster of 90 islands and islets lies about 50 kilometers off Taiwan’s southwest coast and could be targeted in the first wave of an invasion, according to Taiwanese security officials and military experts. Thousands of troops garrison the islands, which are also home to about 110,000 people.

During August’s Han Kuang exercises, troops deployed tanks, artillery, mortars and armored vehicles. Taiwan’s Coastal Operations Command sent Hsiung Feng missile launch vehicles to Penghu for the first time, while the military also used drones in the drills.

Holding Penghu would allow Taiwan to attack ships and aircraft approaching the main island, experts said. A senior Taiwanese official told Reuters that longer-range missiles could also target Chinese forces assembling along the coast before they cross the Taiwan Strait.

Taipei has launched programs to improve the islands’ resilience, including training civilians to ration supplies, repair infrastructure and respond to wartime disruption. A military war game last year found that Penghu could fall after one day of Chinese attacks, underscoring the debate over how long the garrison could resist.

China claims Taiwan and has not renounced the use of force. Beijing’s defense ministry did not respond to questions about Penghu, while Taiwan’s defense ministry declined to comment on combat plans.