Taiwan to strengthen Pratas islands’ defenses as China steps up pressureBy Ben Blanchard, Yimou Lee and Angie Teo / ReutersTaiwan will strengthen its defences of the Pratas as China steps up its activities around the islands which lie at the top end of the South China Sea, the minister in charge of Taiwan’s coastguard said on Thursday. China claims the Pratas, and Taiwan, as its own territory. Kuan Bi-ling, minister of Taiwan’s Ocean Affairs Council, speaks during a press conference in Taipei, Taiwan, April 2, 2026. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In time of war, Taiwan coastguard ships would be pressed into action, including its new Anping-class corvettes, which are based on the navy’s Tuo Chiang-class warships and have space to install anti-ship missiles.

Source: Taipei Times April 02, 2026 17:47 UTC