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How Beijing’s hypersonic ‘carrier killers’ could distract US forces in a Taiwan conflict

Beijing said to be producing anti-ship missiles to hold US Pacific Fleet at distance so PLA can settle matters wherever contingency might be

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Seong Hyeon ChoiPublished: 10:00pm, 8 Aug 2026Updated: 10:06pm, 8 Aug 2026

The advancement and diversification of Beijing’s anti-ship missile platforms have bolstered its denial capabilities in the first island chain and could divert US and allied navies from warfare in a Taiwan Strait contingency, according to analysts.

Last week, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV released a video of a Type 052D destroyer firing a YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile from its vertical launch system, showcasing the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s increased ability to target surface combatants.The YJ-20 is one of China’s first sea-based hypersonic anti-ship missiles to have entered mass production, highlighting Beijing’s advances in its naval defence amid a military modernisation drive to narrow gaps with the US.The hypersonic missile is one of several anti-ship missile varieties that the PLA unveiled during a large-scale military parade in Beijing in September last year. It illustrated the Chinese navy’s strategic focus on establishing robust anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) against adversaries across its coastal waters and the first island chain.The first island chain is a series of islands and archipelagos in East Asia, running from Japan to Borneo. It includes Taiwan, which Beijing views as part of China to be reunited by force, if necessary.
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Most countries, including the United States and its allies, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-ruled island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.

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