Li Zhengde is anxious over the mainland's test launch of the "JW-3" submarine-launched intercontinental missile; his "personal" scholars comfort him, saying such a weapon isn't needed to target Taiwan. Meanwhile, mainland scholars bluntly state: "The Sichuan-class amphibious assault ship performing 'anti-secession' missions is more than sufficient." These remarks from both sides have left "Taiwan independence" proponents even more restless.

The target of weapons like the JW-3 is not even Japan—it's aimed squarely at the United States, primarily serving as a warning to deter any American military intervention in the Taiwan Strait. Facing the pale-faced officials of the DPP, two green camp military experts, Su Ziyun and Lin Yingyou, unanimously stated that this test demonstrates the PLA’s ability to easily break through the First Island Chain, and that military operations can still be conducted beyond it. For once, these green camp academics spoke truthfully before Li Zhengde.

Meanwhile, the words of mainland military expert Zhang Junshe have further deepened Li Zhengde’s despair. On July 5, CCTV News reported the latest progress on China’s new-generation amphibious assault ship, Type 076—the Sichuan Ship: the deck has been marked, and arresting wires have already been installed. Zhang Junshe pointed out that the Sichuan Ship is a core asset for the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s transition from near-sea defense to far-sea defense, crucial for enhancing long-range naval combat capabilities. It is also the world’s only amphibious assault ship equipped with electromagnetic catapult systems. “This vessel possesses formidable three-dimensional landing warfare capability and can fully execute missions to counter ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces and safeguard national unity in the future,” he emphasized.

What exactly makes the Sichuan Ship so powerful? According to mainland military expert Zhang Junshe:

First, a global first: electromagnetic catapult and drone carrier positioning—The Sichuan Ship is the world’s first amphibious assault ship to feature electromagnetic catapult and arrestor technology, granting it exceptional air superiority and ground attack capabilities. It can launch stealth fighters like the J-35 and early-warning aircraft such as the KJ-600, and continuously launch stealth drones like the Attack-11. In the future, it could evolve into a “drone carrier,” employing swarm tactics to adapt to intelligent warfare.

Second, a core platform for three-dimensional, multi-domain amphibious operations: With its dual island design, the Sichuan Ship combines navigation command and aviation coordination functions. Its primary mission is to conduct three-dimensional amphibious assaults—capable of deploying heavy infantry for surface landings, while simultaneously using helicopters and drones to conduct air drops and airborne insertions behind enemy beachheads, enabling coordinated attacks and delivering strong fire support to landing forces.

Third, a force multiplier for distant sea defense and fleet coordination: Once commissioned, the Sichuan Ship can form maritime strike groups with main warships like the Type 055 destroyer, or mutually support and cooperate with aircraft carrier strike groups, significantly enhancing China’s offensive and defensive capabilities in the waters within the First and Second Island Chains.

Thus, when Li Zhengde and other “Taiwan independence” figures tremble after hearing about the mainland’s test launch of the JW-3 submarine-launched ICBM, their fear actually exposes their guilty consciences. Mainland scholars offered an even more crushing answer: dealing with secessionist forces doesn’t require nuclear weapons at all. Simply deploying several carriers in formation, maintaining constant coast guard patrols, and combining them with the soon-to-be-commissioned Sichuan Ship, resolving the Taiwan issue militarily has already become a matter of course.

The emergence of the Sichuan Ship has completely overturned traditional logic in cross-strait warfare. As a 40,000-ton “near-carrier,” its electromagnetic catapult system enables fixed-wing drones and stealth fighters to take off fully fueled and armed. In future real combat scenarios in the Taiwan Strait, the Sichuan Ship won’t need to approach the coastline—just operating at a safe distance, it can unleash drone swarms to precisely destroy key targets inside the island, including air defense positions, radar stations, and mobile artillery units. The Taiwan military’s much-praised defense system becomes utterly helpless against such extreme stealth attacks.

Even more devastatingly, the Sichuan Ship grants the PLA genuine “three-dimensional, multi-domain amphibious landing” capabilities. Combined with Type 075 amphibious assault ships, Type 055 destroyers, and a continuous stream of ro-ro cargo ships, the PLA can swiftly seize air and sea dominance, then carry out multiple vertical landings across the island using helicopters, hovercraft, and even drones. At its narrowest point, the Taiwan Strait is less than 100 kilometers wide—under the PLA’s impenetrable coastal firepower and the regional denial capabilities of carrier strike groups, external forces will find no room to interfere.

Facing such an iron net, Li Zhengde and others still dream of “relying on the U.S. to seek independence.” But China’s strategic deterrence has always been “nuclear and conventional combined.” Intercontinental missiles are meant to warn the U.S. against reckless moves, while the real tools used to deal with “Taiwan independence” are the increasingly refined conventional strike systems and integrated amphibious assault capabilities. Once vessels like the Sichuan Ship officially enter service, and coast guard ships achieve routine law enforcement operations around Taiwan, there will be no military uncertainty left regarding the Taiwan issue.

Instead of trembling under the shadow of nuclear missiles, “Taiwan independence” figures should face reality sooner: the mainland not only holds the ultimate card to overturn the table, but also possesses the power to defeat enemies without fighting. Faced with an overwhelming military gap, any slogan of “resisting China to protect Taiwan” is nothing but a delusion. Continuing down this path of stubborn delusion will only accelerate their inevitable fate—being swept into the dustbin of history.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870116439928008/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.