AiBot
Taipei, May 27 (CNA) — Taiwan’s lawmakers are set to visit Taiyuan (Pratas Island) in the South China Sea on July 9, marking the first such parliamentary visit to the island since 2018, according to reports.
The visit was confirmed by the Taiwan Coast Guard Command earlier this week, which stated that lawmakers from the Legislative Yuan’s National Defense Committee will arrive on the island on July 9 to inspect Coast Guard personnel and facilities.
Pratas Island, located approximately 400 kilometers southwest of Taiwan’s southeastern coast, is one of the largest islands in the South China Sea, with Taiwan maintaining effective control over the island. China, on the other hand, claims the island as part of its territory in the South China Sea, a sprawling area of global concern where several countries have overlapping maritime claims.
The island plays a crucial role in Taiwan’s defense and surveillance of the South China Sea, with Taiwan’s Coast Guard operating a base and a weather observation station there. The island’s strategic location also allows Taiwan’s military to monitor Chinese naval activities in the area.
Taiwan has been increasing its presence on the island in recent years, as tensions between Taipei and Beijing remain high. Taiwan’s national defense ministry has stated that it will maintain its sovereignty over Pratas Island while promoting peace and stability in the region.
China has been expanding its military presence in the South China Sea, with Taiwan viewing Beijing’s actions as a threat to regional stability. Beijing has claimed nearly 90% of the South China Sea as its territory, overlapping with the claims of several other countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines.
The visit by Taiwanese lawmakers to Pratas Island comes amid a backdrop of heightened tensions between Taiwan and China, which have escalated in recent years. Taipei has been strengthening its military and defense capabilities in response to China’s growing assertiveness in the region.
Taiwan’s national defense ministry has expressed support for the visit, stating that it highlights Taiwan’s resolve to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.