China Bolsters Anti-Access Strategy Against Taiwan, Ramps Up Hypersonic Missile Development
China Bolsters Anti-Access Strategy Against Taiwan, Ramps Up Hypersonic Missile Development
Analysts believe China is accelerating the development of hypersonic cruise missiles to strengthen its anti-access strategy targeting Taiwan. Military experts point out that this move by China is escalating military tensions in the region and could significantly impact the U.S.'s defense strategy for Taiwan. There are particular concerns that China's development of the CJ-1000 hypersonic cruise missile has the potential to neutralize U.S. defense systems.
The CJ-1000 is reported to fly at hypersonic speeds between Mach 5 and Mach 10, with a range of 6,000 km. This performance could pose a significant threat to the U.S.'s anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategy. The A2/AD strategy aims to maintain control over a specific area by blocking access to enemy naval and air forces. China's development of the CJ-1000 is interpreted as an attempt to neutralize this U.S. strategy and secure military dominance in the Taiwan Strait.
The United States is working hard to develop various interception systems in response to China's hypersonic missile development. One of these is the Glide Breaker interceptor experiment. Glide Breaker is a system that applies advanced technology to detect and intercept hypersonic missiles and is expected to play an important role in strengthening U.S. missile defense capabilities. However, hypersonic missiles present a significant challenge due to their extremely high speed and maneuverability, making interception very difficult. Therefore, in addition to Glide Breaker, the United States needs to develop various defense systems and strengthen cooperation with allies to counter China's threat.
Meanwhile, South Korea's security situation is also related to China's military buildup. While South Korea recorded a trade surplus of $55.7 billion with the United States in 2024, China's military threat could directly or indirectly affect South Korea's security. In particular, with the Lee Jae-myung government marking its 50th day in office, there is a growing need to further strengthen diplomatic efforts to firmly protect South Korea's security amid rapidly changing international circumstances.
China's military buildup is not limited to the Taiwan issue but is acting as a factor that significantly affects the security environment of Northeast Asia as a whole. While the United States is expected to focus on containing China, South Korea must also strengthen its own defense capabilities and prepare for security threats through close cooperation with the United States and other allies. The competition to develop advanced weapons such as hypersonic missiles raises concerns because it can escalate military tensions and lead to unpredictable situations. Therefore, related countries should refrain from arms races and make efforts to maintain stability in the region through dialogue and negotiation.
The U.S. President Donald Trump administration is strengthening cooperation with allies in the Indo-Pacific region to counter China's military expansion. In particular, regarding the Taiwan issue, it is known that they are considering various options, including military support, in preparation for the possibility of a Chinese military invasion. However, if a military conflict occurs in the Taiwan Strait, its repercussions could spread beyond Northeast Asia and become a global security crisis, requiring a cautious approach. In these international circumstances, South Korea should pursue a balanced diplomatic strategy to maximize national interests and maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
China's military moves are recognized as a significant security threat not only to the United States but also to other countries in the region such as Japan and Australia. Therefore, these countries are strengthening cooperation with the United States and focusing on strengthening their own defense capabilities. In particular, Japan is promoting the development of long-range missiles along with increased defense spending, and Australia has decided to introduce nuclear-powered submarines, accelerating military buildup. These countries' moves reflect concerns about China's military expansion and, at the same time, have been pointed out as a factor that could deepen the arms race in the region.
In conclusion, China's strengthening of its anti-access strategy against Taiwan and the development of hypersonic missiles are bringing significant changes to the security environment in Northeast Asia and are expected to have a significant impact on the U.S.'s defense strategy for Taiwan. In these international circumstances, South Korea should strengthen its own defense capabilities and prepare for security threats through close cooperation with the United States and other allies. In addition, we must refrain from arms races and make efforts to maintain stability in the region through dialogue and negotiation.
