Hormuz crisis delivers a Taiwan Strait wake-up call: 5 things to know

Philip Shetler-Jones, an Indo-Pacific security expert at the U.K.'s Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), said China could call it [a blockade] a domestic "law enforcement" mission under the guise of its "One China principle." The operation could be subtle, with enforcement dialed up or down depending on the response, he said. At least initially, it would likely be narrowly targeted at shipping or cargo associated with a country that has little capacity to retaliate, or has drawn China's disapproval for some reason. The goal would be to prove that Beijing can impose its jurisdiction with impunity, Shetler-Jones said. "The action would be undertaken by the coast guard, perhaps in combination with maritime militia in a blocking role. The PLA Navy would be nearby but not engaged directly," he predicted.