China| On the beach
China is developing some startling new kit in its quest to seize Taiwan
It could land troops there more speedily than ever
Tank landing crafts
Pier to pierPhotograph: X/ Tom Shugart
Is it a barge? Is it a bridge? It is both. Last summer China began building several unusual vessels at its Guangzhou shipyard on the south coast. The barges had legs that could drop down to stabilise the craft in shallow water, and wielded a 100m-bridge that could extend from the bow and onto a beach. In recent weeks pictures have emerged of these mongrel ships (see photo) and of how they connect together into giant causeways. The fear is that they could one day be used to funnel troops and tanks onto the beaches of Taiwan.