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Taiwanese minister visits contested Itu Aba amid regional tensions
Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Minister Kuan Bi-ling conducted a rare inspection of Itu Aba, a Taiwan-controlled islet in the South China Sea, on Thursday as part of a coast guard exercise. The visit coincides with heightened military activity in the region, including large-scale drills by the U.S. and the Philippines.
Exercise simulates maritime interception and rescue
During the drills, Taiwanese coast guard personnel demonstrated a scenario involving the interception of a suspicious cargo vessel that failed to respond to radio communications. Footage released by authorities showed armed special forces boarding and securing the ship's control room.
The exercises also included humanitarian rescue operations and medical evacuation procedures, according to Taiwan's Ocean Affairs Council.
Strategic significance of Itu Aba
Itu Aba, known as Taiping Island in Taiwan, spans 46 hectares and is the largest natural landmass in the Spratly archipelago. The islet hosts a small civilian population of around 200, along with an airstrip and a hospital.
While Taiwan, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines all claim sovereignty over the islet, an international tribunal ruled in 2016 that Itu Aba qualifies as a "rock" under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The classification limits Taiwan's exclusive economic zone to 12 nautical miles, rather than the 200 nautical miles granted to recognized islands. Both Taiwan and China have rejected the ruling.
Regional military activity escalates
The timing of Kuan's visit aligns with the largest-ever joint military exercises between the U.S. and the Philippines, which have drawn sharp criticism from Beijing. In response, China deployed a new amphibious warship to the South China Sea and sailed an aircraft carrier through the Taiwan Strait.
In 2024, Taiwan's former foreign minister Joseph Wu accused China of constructing "enormous" military installations near Itu Aba, further raising concerns over Beijing's intentions in the disputed waters.
Taiwan reaffirms sovereignty claims
Taiwan maintains that Itu Aba is an integral part of its territory, despite overlapping claims from neighboring states. The coast guard exercise underscored Taipei's efforts to assert control over the islet amid growing regional tensions.
"The drills demonstrate our commitment to safeguarding our maritime rights and ensuring the safety of our personnel," a spokesperson for Taiwan's coast guard stated.
