Using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imaging technology, analysts identified the presence of three such barges in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province–home to the Chinese South Sea Fleet–confirming the drills took place between March 4 and March 11
China has reportedly conducted amphibious landing drills in the South China Sea using specially designed vessels capable of rapidly deploying military vehicles and troops onto beaches. These exercises, observed by analysts, resemble those required for an island invasion and come amid rising tensions over Taiwan’s self-rule, Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported.
According to RFA, open-source investigators analysing Chinese social media this week identified a fleet of large ships, described as “invasion barges” due to their ability to transport heavy military equipment and personnel directly onto shorelines. Experts suggest these vessels play a crucial role in potential amphibious assault operations, particularly in contested regions like Taiwan and the South China Sea.
Using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imaging technology, analysts identified the presence of three such barges in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province–home to the Chinese South Sea Fleet–confirming the drills took place between March 4 and March 11, RFA reported.
Damien Symon, a geo-intelligence researcher at The Intel Lab, told Radio Free Asia that he verified the exercises occurred in Zhanjiang during this period, though it remains unclear whether they are still ongoing. Zhanjiang is strategically positioned approximately 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) west of Taiwan and 1,100 kilometres (680 miles) northwest of the Philippines–both of which have been embroiled in heightened tensions with Beijing.
In a satellite image analysed by Symon, three barges were seen lined up near a beach. Additional photos, reportedly taken at the same location and shared on Chinese social media, depict the barges forming a makeshift “bridge” to the shore, allowing tanks and other military vehicles to land, RFA reported.
China has intensified its military activities in the South China Sea, frequently conducting exercises involving amphibious landings and advanced naval operations. These drills highlight Beijing’s growing military capabilities and are widely seen as preparations for potential conflicts, particularly concerning Taiwan.
China considers Taiwan a part of its territory and has not ruled out using military force to assert control. Recently, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated that “reunification with Taiwan is inevitable, and China will make it happen.”
Officials aim to restrict social media
Chinese officials are aiming to restrict the usage of social media and screen time among the youth, citing adverse impact on the physical health and academic performance of youth, a report by the Voice of America stated.
While some youth in China admit to spending an excessive amount of time on the internet, many are skeptical about new government proposals aimed at regulating the time young Chinese spend online and on social media sites.
During China’s recent annual political meetings, retired international basketball star Yao Ming called for some limits on internet access for young people in China. Yao advocated for a plan mandating children to turn off all electronics for one full day every academic semester and get outside and exercise.
Officials also called for tighter controls of online gaming and cited concerns about harmful online content, warning that excessive internet use is hurting the physical health and academic performance of Chinese minors under the age of 18.
Notably, China already has some of the world’s tightest internet controls, with tens of thousands of websites, foreign social media sites and content blocked, as per VOA. It also has a massive online population.
On Chinese social media, some commenters praised the efforts, but many expressed frustration with what they viewed to be an inherent contradiction within the policies. Some people also noted that children are already in school most of the day and rely on internet resources to complete assignments.
“Schools should assign less homework that requires phone check-ins and online research,” wrote one user from northern Hebei Province.
“Minors get home around 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. at night, so when do they even have time to use social media?” wrote another user from Beijing.
A college student in Beijing, who spoke with VOA on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the topic, said she agreed with officials’ concerns, but added that policies like the one suggested by Yao are likely to have a limited impact.
“Chinese teenagers and young people are absolutely addicted to the internet. You can find people walking on the streets looking at their phones everywhere and all the time. We use the internet to do almost everything,” the student said.
“I don’t really think proposals to limit internet accessibility for young people would be effective. The addiction is always hard to get rid of, so how can a ‘limit day’ alleviate the excessive internet use?” the student said, using the word “addiction” to describe the excessive use of the internet.
According to the “2024 China Game Industry Minor Protection Report” released by the Game Working Committee of the China Audio-Video and Digital Publishing Association, as of December 2023, the number of internet users in China under the age of 18 reached 196 million, with the percentage of minors who are on the internet and can access it reaching 97.3 per cent.
Will Wang, a Chinese student studying in the United States, said when he returns home in Beijing during school break his impression is that the internet is used heavily in everyday life, and that teenagers are very active on social media platforms.
“There’s definitely a significant increase in screen and internet usage across all ages in China…many Chinese teenagers are deeply engaged with TikTok, RedNote, Bilibili, and many internet platforms,” Wang said in a written response to VOA.
Amid the busy academic and personal lives of young Chinese, the internet provides them with a rare space for privacy, which Wang said is fueling high levels of internet use.
