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

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…

By Samantha Johnson / August 8, 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.

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.

China calls nuclear submarine missile test ‘routine’ as Australia, Japan voice concerns

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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