Taiwan has enhanced its maritime patrol capacity around the Pratas Islands in the South China Sea. This move includes the regular deployment of larger vessels to the area in response to increased Chinese activities.
Pratas Islands and Chinese Threats
The Pratas Islands, controlled by Taiwan, are recognized as a vulnerable point against Chinese attacks due to their distance of over 400 kilometers from Taiwan. In recent years, China has increased its military presence around Taiwan, raising security concerns in Taiwan.
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In a statement released on Wednesday, the Taiwan Coast Guard announced that its patrol and law enforcement capacity in the waters around Pratas has been comprehensively upgraded. With the completion of a dock project in July, a new 100-ton patrol boat has officially been stationed at the Pratas Islands, significantly enhancing near-shore patrol capabilities and rapid response capacity.
Patrolling and Maritime Control
Additionally, larger patrol vessels are regularly dispatched for patrolling around the waters of Pratas, demonstrating strong multi-layered capabilities for deterrence and law enforcement. The Taiwan Coast Guard also announced that since the beginning of this year, it has seized nine Chinese fishing boats around Pratas and repurposed them for patrolling and environmental protection efforts.
The Pratas Islands are recognized as a national park with largely untouched reefs, while tourism in the area is nearly non-existent. The Taiwan Coast Guard, as the authority responsible for the security of the Pratas Islands, has stated that the islands have a runway, but there is no permanent civilian population in the area.
Instead, the Taiwan Coast Guard is currently working to enhance security in the region by increasing the number of patrols and improving infrastructure. This action is seen as a response to the increased patrols of the Chinese Coast Guard near Pratas, especially in recent months.
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