The process of China breaking through the first island chain

China broke through the first island chain on April 11, 1976.

March 4, 1976, was an exciting day for the staff on the "Xiangyanghong No. 5" ship. It was the day they set sail. The crew members put on newly issued costumes and took photos with each other. In order to break through the first island chain, the commander-in-chief chose to rush through the wind and rain zone and break through the blockade of the first island chain on a night with bad weather and when foreign ships were avoiding one after another. On the night of April 11, strong winds set off huge waves, which kept hitting the hull of the ship.

The hull began to tilt left and right, and the crew's hearts were already in their throats. "Xiangyanghong No. 5" moved forward at full speed. After more than an hour, the hull slowly stabilized. "Xiangyanghong No. 5" successfully broke through the first island chain early the next morning. For many years, the island chain has been like a noose, locking the maritime dream of New China. But now, this situation has been completely broken.

The islands and straits that constitute the first island chain:

1. Islands: The first island chain originates from the Western Pacific and refers to the Japanese Islands, Ryukyu Islands, and China in the north. Taiwan Island, a chain of islands extending south to the Philippines and the Greater Sunda Islands. South Korea, located in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, is sometimes considered part of the first island chain.

2. Straits: The straits included in the first island chain include the Soya Strait, Tsugaru Strait, and Korea Strait, which are non-territorial sea straits subject to the free navigation system, as well as the Osumi Strait. China's international waterways leading to the Western Pacific include the Osumi Strait, Tokara Strait, Amami Strait, Miyako Strait (the widest), Ishigaki Channel (Ishigaki Strait), Yonaguni Strait, etc., as well as the Bashi Strait, the North Philippines Strait Group, and the southern Philippines Channel group etc.

Reference for the above content: Baidu Encyclopedia - First Island Chain

Reference for the above content: Baidu Encyclopedia - Japanese Islands