China might isolate Taiwan using a maritime “quarantine strategy” amid escalating tensions over their maritime boundary, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington-based think tank.
Outlined in a June 5 report, this strategy would involve China’s coast guard and maritime militia imposing restrictions on Taiwan’s ports to disrupt vital supplies without declaring war. This tactic, considered a gray zone approach, would stop short of a full blockade.
### What Is the Quarantine Strategy?
The quarantine strategy aims to pressure Taiwan while avoiding direct military confrontation with the United States, which supports Taiwan’s defense. Experts warn that such actions could strain international relations and impact global trade, given Taiwan’s key role in semiconductor production and its economic ties with China.
According to the CSIS report, the goal of a quarantine is not to completely isolate Taiwan but to control its maritime and air commerce. Essential supplies like food and medicine could still reach Taiwan, allowing China to claim that its actions are not causing hardship. The quarantine could specifically target the delivery of certain goods, such as U.S. weapons to Taiwan.
