A look at the danger posed by dams when weaponized during warfare.

By Wang Weiluo | Published by Yibao China

Donald Trump said at a U.S. presidential campaign fundraiser that if China invaded Taiwan during his presidency, he would bomb Beijing in response.

People will naturally ask: Will the U.S. military really bomb Beijing? If so, where will the first target be?

In fact, this is the second bombing threat Beijing has received since the Sino-Soviet Zhenbao Island War in 1969. That bombing threat came from the Soviet Union.

Summary

A look at the danger posed by dams when weaponized during warfare. This report by German-based Chinese hydrology expert, Wang Weiluo, revisits the 1969 Sino-Soviet border dispute and the actions taken by Chinese military leader, Lin Biao, to prevent three major reservoirs near Beijing from becoming instruments of war. At the time, Beijing had become the target of Soviet bombing threats. Lin Biao feared if the Soviets destroyed these dams, the capital would be flooded.

At one point in his war preparations, Lin Biao even proposed the idea of blowing up the mountain valley Miyun Reservoir, located 100 km northeast of Beijing City, in order to “defend Beijing”.

“Instead of passively watching others bomb, it is better to bomb first,” he said, “so that there is still time to evacuate.”

Lin Biao was the first general in the Communist Party of China to understand reservoir safety.

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