Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Taiwan Upgrades Patrols at Vulnerable South China Sea Outpost
Taiwan controls the Pratas Islands in the South China Sea.
The islands are more than 400 kilometers from Taiwan, making them difficult to protect.
Taiwan says Chinese activity near the islands has increased.
It has improved its wharf and stationed a new patrol boat there.
Taiwan is also sending larger patrol ships to the area more regularly.
The Taiwan Coast Guard, rather than the military, is responsible for security at Pratas.
Taiwan says it seized nine Chinese fishing boats nearby this year.
China does not recognize Taiwan's claim over the islands, and Chinese coast guard ships have continued patrolling nearby.
Taiwan says it has comprehensively upgraded maritime patrol and enforcement capacity around the Pratas Islands.
A newly built 100-tonne-class patrol boat was stationed at Pratas after a wharf project was completed in July.
Taiwan is also regularly deploying large patrol vessels around the islands for layered deterrence and mobile enforcement.
Taiwan says it has confiscated nine Chinese fishing boats near Pratas since the start of the year.
The upgrade follows increased Chinese coast guard activity near the Taiwan-controlled islands, which China does not recognize as Taiwanese territory.
- Who
- Taiwan's Coast Guard and Chinese coast guard forces are involved; China disputes Taiwan's claim to the Pratas Islands.
- What
- Taiwan has upgraded maritime patrol and enforcement capabilities around the Pratas Islands.
- When
- The wharf project was completed in July, and the report was published on September 24; Taiwan says upgrades are now in place.
- Where
- Around the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands in the disputed South China Sea, more than 400 kilometers from Taiwan.
- Why
- Taiwan says the upgrades respond to increased Chinese activity around the islands.
Taiwan's Security Position
China's Sovereignty Position
Patrol upgrades
Taiwan's Security Position
Taiwan says increased Chinese activity requires stronger patrol, enforcement, and immediate response capabilities around Pratas.
China's Sovereignty Position
China has not commented on the upgrade, but it does not recognize Taiwan's sovereignty claims, including over the Pratas Islands.
Activity around Pratas
Taiwan's Security Position
Taiwan says it is responding through larger regular patrols and by confiscating Chinese fishing boats near the islands.
China's Sovereignty Position
Chinese coast guard ships have increased patrols near Pratas, according to the report, with the latest cited patrol occurring earlier in September.
- Location
- Pratas Islands, disputed South China Sea
- Distance from Taiwan
- More than 400 km (250 miles)
- New patrol boat
- A 100-tonne-class vessel formally stationed at Pratas
- Wharf project
- Completed in July
- Confiscated boats
- Nine Chinese fishing boats seized near Pratas since the start of the year
- Security authority
- Taiwan's Coast Guard, rather than the military
- Civilian population
- The islands have no permanent civilian population