
The Taiwan Strait averages 100 meters deep, with depths ranging from 60 to 200 meters across its 180 kilometer width.
The shallowest sections occur near Taiwan's western coast and China's eastern seaboard.
The strait's moderate depth constrains military operations. Submarines operate effectively here, but large surface vessels require careful navigation. Taiwan (74 tracked signals) and China (54 tracked signals) maintain continuous maritime surveillance across these waters, making it one of the world's most monitored sea passages.
The strait remains a flashpoint for regional competition. Recent espionage cases, including the FBI arrest of a woman accused of spying on Taiwan's leadership for China, reflect broader intelligence operations surrounding strait security. The waterway handles approximately one third of global maritime trade, adding economic weight to its geopolitical importance.