Taiwan Plans 95% Energy-Import Siege Drills as China Expands Patrols East of the Island
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 25
Taiwan Plans 95% Energy-Import Siege Drills as China Expands Patrols East of the Island
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 25
Summary
Taiwan is moving from tabletop war games to planned drills that would escort and reroute ships, then store and distribute fuel and other essentials during a Chinese sea siege.
The urgency stems from Beijing’s expanding naval and coast guard activity around Taiwan, including last month’s announcement of “routine law-enforcement patrols” in waters east of the island.
Taiwan is especially exposed because imports supply about 95% of its energy, while natural gas generates roughly half of its electricity.
Officials are weighing floating gas storage and processing terminals, larger emergency stockpiles and even a revival of nuclear power to keep the island running in a crisis.
The planning reflects a broader fear that China could try to choke off the route where Taiwan would most likely seek U.S. and allied military and economic relief.