By Ben Blanchard

TAIPEI, Reuters – It would be difficult for China to invade Taiwan fully with troops landing in the country and port and airports being seized. This is due to difficulties China might have in landing troops and supplying them. Taiwan’s Defence Ministry stated in its most recent threat assessment.

Tensions have been rising between Beijing and Taipei over Taiwan’s democratically-ruled territory. China has increased military activity near Taiwan in an effort to force Taiwan into Chinese control.

According to Taiwan’s Defence Ministry, China’s current transport capabilities are limited and it will not be able land all of its troops in one shot. It would instead have to rely upon “non-standard” rolling-on and roll-off vessels that could use ports and carry aircraft that would require airports.

The nation’s army strongly protects airports and ports, so they won’t be easy to seize in a quick time. “Landing operations are subject to extremely high risk,” said the ministry in its report. Reuters has a copy.

China has logistical problems as landing troops across Taiwan Strait would require weapons, food, or medicines to be resupplied.

The advantage for the nation’s army is that the Taiwan Strait acts as a natural moat. They can also use joint intercept operations to cut off supplies from the Communist military, severely decreasing the effectiveness of combat and endurance of their landing forces.

The ministry stated that China should also keep some reserves in place to stop foreign troops from joining Taiwan’s aid and keep an eye on any other troubled areas along China’s borders, such as with India or in the South China Sea.

The statement added that “U.S., Japanese, and other military bases are near Taiwan” and suggested that any Chinese Communist attack should be carefully monitored and would require the use of reserve forces to prevent foreign military intervention.

“It’s difficult for the United States to put all its effort into fighting Taiwan.”

Experts believe that China still has options to help Taiwan, such as a targeted missile attack or blockade.

Taiwan’s President TsaiIng-wen oversees a program of military modernisation to make it more difficult to attack the island. The military will be mobile, with precision weapons such as longer-range missiles that can take out an attacker force.

Over the next five-years, T$240 billion (or $8.66 billion) more in military expenditures will be made by the government. This money will go mainly to naval weapons including warships.