The military is stepping up security measures on Taiping Island, a disputed island in the South China Sea. That’s the word from the Coast Guard Administration chief Wang Ginn-wang on Thursday. Wang was responding to some lawmakers’ concerns that if a conflict breaks out in the South China Sea, Taiping Island will be occupied by the parties involved. Wang said the military has several measures in place to defend the island.
“First of all, marines have been stationed on Taiping Island," said Wang. Secondly, we will strengthen our patrol boat capabilities and bulk up the defense infrastructure of the island. We have already appropriated more than NT$120 million (US$3.9 million) for the project. Also, a new port will be completed by the end of the year.”
Taiping is the biggest of the Spratly Islands, which are also claimed by several different countries. It is currently under the administration of Taiwan.