ARCHIPELAGO – SPRATTY ISLANDS

Since time immemorial, neighboring countries have always had border disputes, more so in the case of south east Asian countries. Taiwan’s coastguard has confirmed that it may improve its strength in a disputed archipelago in South China Sea, on account of notable increase in the number of foreign fishing boats in the region. Taiwan’s coastguard has a surveillance base on Taiping, which happens to be biggest island in the Spratty region, has noted a visible increase in the number of foreign fishing vessels in the area. According to a spokesman of Taiwan’s coastguard, Shih Yi-che, the service was likely to deploy more patrolling boats to the archipelago, which is spread over 1,500 km south of Taiwan.

Taiwan’s coastguard currently has in operation, three patrols from Taiping, called Ba Binh in Vietnam, where it has also constructed a runway for the supply of logistical support and also humanitarian assistance if needed. Towards the end of May his year, Taiwan’s coastguard has reportedly counted in excess of 500 foreign vessels, maximum from China, along Taiping, which is more than twice the number, reported during entire last year. In the meantime, the foreign ministry of Taiwan has asserted their claim to the Spratty islands, along with three other archipelagos in the South China Sea, which has many important shipping lanes.

According to them, the Spratty islands are the territory of the Republic of China, whether it is historical, geographical, or international aw. Along with Taiwan, many other neighboring nations also lay claim on all or part of he oil-rich Spratty islands. All with the exception of Brunei, have their troops in the area.