BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
Taiwan is stepping up efforts to strengthen defenses around the strategically sensitive Pratas Islands, as Chinese activity in the surrounding waters increases and raises concerns over the security of one of Taipei’s most exposed outposts in the South China Sea.
Speaking on Thursday, Kuan Bi-ling, who heads Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council, said authorities are moving to enhance both infrastructure and operational capabilities on the islands, known as Dongsha in both Taiwan and China. Her remarks reflect growing unease in Taipei over what officials describe as a steady escalation of so-called “grey zone” tactics employed by Beijing—measures that fall short of direct military confrontation but are designed to apply sustained pressure.
The Pratas Islands sit roughly between southern Taiwan and Hong Kong, more than 400 kilometers from Taiwan’s main island, a distance that has long made them a point of vulnerability in the event of a conflict. Unlike other frontline areas, the islands are not primarily defended by Taiwan’s military but instead fall under the jurisdiction of the coast guard, underscoring their relatively limited defensive posture.
China, which claims both Taiwan and the Pratas as part of its territory, has in recent years increased the presence of government vessels in nearby waters. According to Kuan, this includes coast guard ships and other maritime units operating more frequently around the atoll. Previously, such activity had been more concentrated closer to Taiwan itself and near the Kinmen Islands, which lie just off China’s southeastern coast.
The shift in focus toward the Pratas is viewed by some analysts as a calculated move by Beijing to test Taiwan’s response capabilities in more remote areas. Kuan noted that from a strategic standpoint, control of Dongsha would carry significant value, potentially giving
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