Taiwan steps up naval patrols in Pratas Islands as China steps up activity

Taiwan has stepped up maritime patrols and surveillance around the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the wake of China's increased activity in the South China Sea. 

As part of this, the country's coast guard said that large patrol ships are being regularly deployed in the area. Reuters reports. 

In a statement, Taiwan's Coast Guard said its overall patrol and law enforcement capabilities in the Pacific waters have been "greatly improved."

A new 100-ton class patrol boat was officially deployed to Pratas in July after the construction of a new jetty was completed. The Coast Guard said this significantly increased the capacity for regular patrols in the vicinity of the island and rapid deployment of the vessel in case of emergency.

In addition, large patrol ships are regularly dispatched to the waters around the Strait, which Taiwan's Coast Guard says has created a multi-layered deterrence and rapid law enforcement capability.

The Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the South China Sea are more than 400 kilometers from the Taiwanese mainland, making the area vulnerable to potential Chinese attacks by many security experts.

China claims Taiwan as part of its territory. Taiwan rejects this claim. China's military activity around Taiwan has increased in the past few years. At the same time, Chinese coast guard patrols near the Strait have also increased. Earlier this month, there was a Chinese coast guard patrol there.

The Pratas Islands are under the responsibility of Taiwan's Coast Guard. There is an airstrip there, but there is no permanent civilian population. China does not recognize Taiwan's claim to sovereignty over the Pratas Islands.

Taiwan's coast guard also said nine Chinese fishing boats have been seized around the coast since the beginning of this year. The vessels are now being repurposed for use in coral reef patrols and marine conservation.

The Pratas Islands are a national park. With almost no tourism activity there, the archipelago's coral reefs and marine environment remain largely intact.

Another important position for Taiwan in the South China Sea is Itu Aba in the disputed Spratly Islands. Taiwan also claims control over the nearby uninhabited Zhongzhou Reef.