Kaohsiung: Taiwan City Key in Chinese Invasion

There’s an old joke about Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s third-most populous city: If an aspiring strongman were to attempt a coup today, he’d first need to go through the city’s mayor. The reason for that is simple: Kaohsiung hosts major Taiwanese military bases and training academies.

As Taiwan faces the looming threat of an invasion by the Chinese Communist Party, on a timeline that numerous U.S. and Taiwanese officials warn is accelerating, Kaohsiung, situated on the country’s southwest coast some 180 miles from China, will be a key strategic linchpin, and its fate during such an attack could have outsized consequences. For one, it’s the beating heart of the country’s defense–industrial base. And it hosts Taiwan’s largest port — the 15th largest in the world.

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Jimmy Quinn

Jimmy Quinn is the former national security correspondent for National Review.

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There’s an old joke about Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s third-most populous city: If an aspiring strongman were to attempt a coup today, he’d first need to go through the city’s mayor. The reason for that is simple: Kaohsiung hosts major Taiwanese military bases and training academies.

As Taiwan faces the looming threat of an invasion by the Chinese Communist Party, on a timeline that numerous U.S. and Taiwanese officials warn is accelerating, Kaohsiung, situated on the country’s southwest coast some 180 miles from China, will be a key strategic linchpin, and its fate during such an attack could have outsized consequences. For one, it’s the beating heart of the country’s defense–industrial base. And it hosts Taiwan’s largest port — the 15th largest in the world.