Taiping Island is the largest island in the South China Sea. This island is under the control of Taiwan, with a contingent of 200 coastguard personnel stationed there. This island is also claimed by Beijing, Vietnam, and the Phillippines.
Recently, the Security Bureau recommended that the Taiwan leader Tsai Ing Wen not to visit to Taiping before the conclusion of her term in May 2024. The bureau highlighted the danger of the region, citing instances where the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has reportedly trailed non-Mainland ships and aircraft passing through the South China Sea, including those from Taiwan, in addition to heightened geopolitical tensions in the area.
“Therefore, it is necessary to assess whether the president’s aircraft’s flight safety can be maintained during the 1,600 km (994 miles) flight. If the two problems cannot be resolved, it is not recommended that the president go to Taiping island at this stage” the Bureau declared in a statement.
On March 20th, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu visited Taiping Island and upon his return pointed out that the People’s Liberation Army had built a “huge” military base on one of the off shore neighboring islands nearby. The PLA, according to Joseph Wu, is also conducting routine exercises in the waters nearby.
At the writing of this article, it appears that Tsai Ing Wen will not be visiting Taiping Island. In this case, it appears that the so called “intimidation method” of Beijing has been successful and demonstrated that Taiwan’s military cannot protect its assets and transits in the South China sea. This is tantamount to a surrender of Taiwan’s interests in the South China Sea and sends the message to the world that Taiwan’s space has been limited — that Taiwan’s leader cannot travel or transit to a territory administered by Taipei, without the consideration of a Mainland response.
