China Tests Floating Invasion Piers in New Drill as Taiwan Landing Plans Advance

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has conducted another exercise involving its floating pier barges, providing fresh insight into Beijing's efforts to improve amphibious logistics for a potential military operation against Taiwan. On July 7, Shuiqiao-class landing pier utility (LPU) barges departed the Yuhuan naval pier and headed toward a beach in southern Fujian Province. Two days later, the vessels arrived at the new location and linked their Bailey bridge sections to form a temporary floating pier. On July 15, the barges separated, with Donggong 402 and Donggong 403 remaining in place while Donggong 401 repositioned to the port side. PLA Tests Floating Piers Along Coastal Infrastructure The exercise suggests that the PLA Navy is evaluating whether floating pier systems can be deployed alongside coastal highways and similar shoreline infrastructure. Such locations could serve as temporary beachheads during an amphibious operation, allowing troops, armored vehicles and military supplies to move ashore even where conventional port facilities are unavailable.