“In June, China National Offshore Oil Corporation installed its Haiyou Anlan offshore wind turbine, which is supported by a tension-leg platform. It is located approximately 80 kilometers from Taiwan’s Dongsha Island, according to ingeniSPACE . The turbine began operations Friday.”
“The offshore wind turbine is part of a larger network of existing Chinese semi-permanent oil and gas structures in the area north of Dongsha Island, a strategic Taiwanese military and maritime law enforcement base, Ingenispace said. The firm said the wind turbine strengthens China’s anti-access/area-denial capabilities.”
“China is steadily weakening Taiwan’s control over its territory and resources while building infrastructure that can be used for both civilian and military purposes, Ingenispace said.”
“China could use maritime structures such as floating turbines to extend its influence or as bases for ‘sensors, systems, and personnel—especially in the context of unmanned systems warfare,’ Ingenispace said. A 16-megawatt wind turbine could generate enough power to support the launch of cheap, mass-produced Chinese drones toward Taiwan during a conflict, it added.”
“Countries including Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Vietnam have protested encroaching Chinese oil rigs and other structures near their EEZs and have tried to counter Beijing’s salami tactics, according to Ingenispace. China currently has more than 30 permanent structures in disputed waters in the Indo-Pacific, the company said.”
“Ingenispace said that if countries along the First Island Chain do not work together to stop China from building more dual-use structures in their waters, Beijing will keep pushing forward. ‘More structures are already planned in the coming months, with some already under construction,’ it warned.”