In a not-so-subtle message to China’s increasingly belligerent communist leaders, the head of Taiwan’s Legislative Assembly – You Si Kun – warned China that its domestically produced Yun Feng (Cloud Peak) supersonic cruise missile has the ability to reach Beijing.
The warning came after China provocatively claimed ownership over the Taiwan Strait earlier this week. On Monday, Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry, said ‘China has sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait.’
“It is a false claim when certain countries call the Taiwan Strait ‘international waters’ in order to find a pretext for manipulating issues related to Taiwan and threatening China’s sovereignty and security,” he added.
The U.S. and most of the world view the Strait as international waters. In recent years American and other Western warships have sailed through the strait, raising Beijing’s ire. The Navy calls its operations in contested waters Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPS).
The response from Taiwan to China’s statement is noted below:
The warning from Taiwan follows President Biden’s confusing messaging on whether the U.S. will defend Taiwan fully in case of a Communist Chinese invasion.
While it is doubtful that U.S. or Western navies will reduce FONOPS anytime soon, the next one may be a bit more intense than the last.
Taiwan’s Yun Feng missile has been in development for a long time.
As the Drive notes:
Taiwan is reported to have begun discreetly developing the Yun Feng missile after the 1996 Taiwan Strait crisis, which started after a series of missile tests were conducted by the People’s Republic of China. The goal of the tests was to send a message to the Republic of China (Taiwan) government headed by Lee Teng-hui whose strategy was beginning to shift away from the One-China policy, and the efforts were largely successful in agitating both Taiwan and the United States. In response, U.S. President Bill Clinton deployed a carrier battle group to the scene and a crisis was averted.
The Drive adds:
In an effort to avoid public scrutiny, Yun Feng’s flight tests were concealed by the test program for the Hsiung Feng III supersonic anti-ship missile and successfully avoided major media coverage until December 2012. Because much of its origin is shrouded in secrecy, the supersonic Yun Feng’s exact specifications vary between sources.
The original missile – declared operational in 2014 – was believed to have a range of 600 miles. However, the missile has reportedly been modified since 2018 and now has an extended range of 1,200 miles, which could successfully strike Beijing, approximately 1,150 miles from Taiwan.
Taiwan announced the test firing of this extended-range missile in 2020.
While these missiles can’t stop or seriously degrade China’s ability to invade Taiwan, the Yun Feng could provide the island nation with the ability to carry out potentially high-profile strikes against a variety of soft, high-value or symbolic targets in China, and critical infrastructure, like the Three Gorges Dam or nuclear plants.
These strikes could have devastating secondary effects.
The Yun Fengs also provide Taiwan the morale boost it needs to better prepare for the war to come and remind China that Taiwan can strike their capital, even in a limited way.
ALD
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
Paul Crespo is the Managing Editor of American Liberty Defense News. As a Marine Corps officer, he led Marines, served aboard ships in the Pacific and jumped from helicopters and airplanes. He was also a military attaché with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) at U.S. embassies worldwide. He later ran for state and federal office, taught political science, wrote for the editorial board of a major newspaper and had his own radio show. A graduate of Georgetown, London and Cambridge universities, he brings decades of experience and insight to the issues that most threaten our American liberty – at home and from abroad. To read more go to: paulcrespo.com.
If I was head of the military forces on Taiwan, the Three Gorges Dam would be at the top of my target list. Three missiles would create the world’s biggest pile of concrete rubble, flood millions of people out of their homes and businesses and deprive the PRC of 40% of its hydroelectric power! Next would be the harbors of Shanghai and Hong Kong and any large ships caught in the line of fire. After that, the naval bases and capital ships of the PLA would be gone, especially those new aircraft carriers. Etc…
Most Excellent!!! All of their dams should be targeted along with their other power plants! Next would be their shipping ports and airports, both civilian and military! Next would be their missile silos and staging areas! Next would be their industrial plants! You get the picture!!!
Well, well. So now, Taiwan can ‘talk shit’ too.
No need to strike Beijing. Taiwan has over 50 Yun Feng missiles well within range of the Three Gorges Dam. Water is China’s Achilles Heel.
It would be one HELL of a flood!
They could also start building nuclear warheads to put on their missiles , we will then see just how tough the Chinese really are , maybe Taiwan just might attack China first
It’s about time!! Communist Totalitarian Bullies only understand what they dish out. They need to perceive a CREDIBLE threat before they will back down. This is how it has always been on all levels of “engagement”. With proper ordinance, Taiwan should be able to put the entire CCP fleet at the bottom of the “Straights”. And destruction of the CCP economy and infrastructure would also be required. Taiwan needs to be on constant alert for a CCP surprise first strike and be capable of an immediate and devastating pre-emptive response. I hope that this is in place!
Yes I am aware of the potential consequences and collateral damage, however life under a Communist Totalitarian regime is one of the worst forms of human misery and will lead to far more sustained mass killing and torture (As has historically been observed!). If the CCP would acquiesce or otherwise collapse under its own weight due to more peacefully applied economic & military pressure, that would be the most desirable outcome if it can be achieved in a timely manner.
Humans are at their best when they have the freedom and liberty to peacefully pursue and realize their dreams and goals. To achieve true peace and tranquility, the Neurotic Cult of Cultural Marxism, Global Elitism and all forms of Totalitarianism (with its attending Indoctrination) need to be ended worldwide. It’s a tall order, but a Goal worth pursuing!
Taiwan is capable of doing to China what Ukraine is doing to Russia. Ukraine and Taiwan are sovereign Democracies, much different from Iraq and Afghanistan which were not Democracies and had no serious interest in ever being one. Thus, we should have bombed the hell out of Afghanistan and left, with the message any more terrorist activities targeting Americans would result in more bombs, not Americans on the ground. As for Taiwan and Ukraine they are deserving of our full support in their efforts to remain free and independent of their tyrannical invader/potential invader.
What we see is only part of Taiwan’s indigenous capacity. In coming years we will see more remarkable examples. The Nixon-Carter policy was intended to kill Taiwan but has instead made her stronger. Also, Japan, Asia’s emerging superpower, is now her close ally.
Hooray Taiwan
It is encouraging to read that Taiwan isn’t totally dependant on the US for protection. After the awful Afghanistan pull out, many who felt we had their backs must have felt betrayed.
Noooo! Do not tell that to Communist China …IF …it is true!
Three Gorges dam will go first if it does not break on its own. CCP would be better off by pulling in their horns.