The Pratas Islands lie roughly between southern Taiwan and Hong Kong. Security experts see them as vulnerable to Chinese attack due to their distance – more than 400km – from Taiwan.
China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has increased its military presence around the island over the past five years. The government in Taipei rejects China’s claim.
China recognises no claims of sovereignty by Taiwan, including over the Pratas Islands, and Chinese coast guard ships have increased patrols.
“GREY ZONE” ACTIVITIES
Taiwan says China is increasing its “grey zone” tactics that stop short of outright military action to pressure Taiwan.
Speaking at a forum in Taipei, Lii Wen, deputy secretary-general of Taiwan’s National Security Council, said China was using a wider range of ships in its “incremental acts of aggression,” including militia boats and research vessels.
“Grey zone activities under the threshold of conflict have raised serious concerns for their potential to disrupt transportation or damage critical infrastructure,” he added.
Underscoring the threat Taiwan says it faces, Taiwan’s defence ministry flagged another “joint combat readiness patrol” by China near the island on Wednesday, with 13 aircraft including J-16 fighters and an unspecified number of navy ships.
China’s defence ministry said earlier in the day that the aircraft carrier Liaoning and accompanying ships were drilling in the Western Pacific, though it did not give details.
Taiwan’s Coast Guard is in charge of day-to-day security for Pratas rather than the military.
The Pratas Islands are a national park. They have an airstrip but no permanent civilian population.
