‘Hellscape’ Strategy: U.S. Prepares for Potential Chinese Invasion

The United States is developing a strategy called "Hellscape" to deter China from invading Taiwan, according to Admiral Samuel Paparo, the new head of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

Recent behavior from China suggests preparations for a potential full-scale conflict over the island democracy, Knewz.com reported.

Amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, speculation grows that President Xi Jinping might attempt to take Taiwan within the next few years.

The U.S. is preparing for such a scenario. President Joe Biden has consistently stated that American forces would defend Taiwan if China invades, yet his recent comments align with the long-standing U.S. policy of "strategic ambiguity."

In an interview with TIME, President Biden mentioned that the deployment of U.S. military forces to defend Taiwan "would depend on the circumstances."

He emphasized that the U.S. supports the policy of not seeking Taiwanese independence but would defend Taiwan if China unilaterally attempts to change the status quo. "And so we’re continuing to supply capacity. And we’ve been in consultation with our allies in the region," Biden added.

As deploying troops might not be viable, the U.S. is creating "Hellscape," a strategy using unmanned war elements to deter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

Admiral Paparo explained to The Washington Post that China aims for a quick, decisive war before global forces can react. "My job is to ensure that between now and 2027 and beyond, the U.S. military and the are capable of prevailing," he said.

Paparo noted that President Xi's likely strategy involves a massive, surprise strike to overwhelm Taiwan. The American response involves transforming the Taiwan Strait into an "unmanned hellscape" with classified capabilities to delay Chinese forces until allied forces can mount an effective counteroffensive.

"I can make their lives utterly miserable for a month, which buys me time for the rest of everything…I can’t tell you what’s in it. But it’s real and it’s deliverable,” Paparo told The Washington Post. The strategy reportedly includes "thousands of unmanned submarines, surface ships, and aerial drones."

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China has been stockpiling resources, possibly signaling preparations for a conflict over Taiwan. For 18 consecutive months leading up to April 2024, the People's Bank of China increased its gold reserves. China, the world's largest consumer of gold and oil, now holds 2,264 tons of gold, accounting for 4.9% of its total foreign exchange reserves, the highest percentage on record according to FXStreet.

U.S. military officials believe Xi has set a deadline for a potential move on Taiwan by 2027. Former U.S. Indo-Pacific Command chief Admiral John Aquilino stated in April that "China is working toward being able to take Taiwan by 2027," as reported by Newsweek.