The National Security Bureau (NSB) said it supports the military beefing up security measures on Taiping Island, a disputed island in the South China Sea.
The NSB’s comment on Wednesday was responding to some lawmakers’ concerns that China has also been stepping up military deployment in the area.
The NSB said it supports more defense measures on the island. Earlier this month, the Coast Guard Administration had also said that it might post 3,000-ton patrol ships there after a pier is completed in 2015.
Located about 1,600 km from the southern port city of Kaohsiung on Taiwan's main island, Taiping Island is the biggest of the Spratly Islands, which are also claimed by several other countries. It is currently under the administration of Taiwan. The island, less than 0.5 square kilometers in area, is manned by Taiwan Coast Guard personnel. There are no civilians living there.