Chinese Amphibious Exercise

Flag China Chinese social media is sharing official imagery of an amphibious exercise using a civilian ferry. While these are routine in China, they bear special attention as indications of readiness and hints at capabilities which may apply to cross-strait scenarios with Taiwan.

The exercise was conducted at Xuwen Nanshen Port opposite Hainan, with vehicles loaded at the ramp at 20.2282°, 110.1391°. Chinese Amphibious Exercise Chinese Amphibious Exercise The loading point can be geolocated to 20.2282°, 110.1391°.

The ferry appears to be an older vessel, possibly suggesting that its repurposing to the exercise minimise disruption to commercial activities. It appears similar (but not identical to) HAI TANG WAN (MMSI: 413523980) but the name is censored in the photos. Possibly it is not a ferry ordinarily sailing to/from Xuwen Nanshen Port. Chinese Amphibious Exercise Example older ferries with a similar arrangement.

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