TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan plans to strengthen defenses on the Dongsha Islands as China increases gray zone pressure around the remote outpost, Reuters reported Thursday.
Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling (管碧玲) said Chinese government vessels, including Coast Guard ships, have stepped up operations near the islands over the past year. Activity has expanded beyond the waters near Taiwan and the Kinmen Islands.
Located more than 400 kilometers from Taiwan’s main island, the Dongsha Islands are seen as strategically vulnerable. The atoll is lightly defended and primarily overseen by Taiwan’s Coast Guard rather than the military.
Kuan said China’s actions are part of a broader campaign of “gray zone harassment,” referring to non-combat operations designed to pressure Taiwan. She warned that from a strategic perspective, Beijing could see seizing the islands as highly significant.
Taiwan has begun upgrading infrastructure on Dongsha's main island, including renovating its wharf and planning regular deployments of more capable vessels. Kuan said the government is also working on broader plans to develop an island defense system, though details were not disclosed.
Tensions have already surfaced this year, with Taiwan reporting that a Chinese reconnaissance drone briefly flew over Dongsha Island in January. The defense ministry described the move as provocative.
Kuan said China’s pressure campaign strains resources that could otherwise be used for missions such as maritime rescue. In a conflict, however, Coast Guard vessels, including Anping-class corvettes capable of carrying anti-ship missiles, would be integrated into military operations.
Kuan added that the growing pressure is also pushing Taiwan to accelerate readiness. “We are accelerating our efforts to strengthen our capabilities and to speed up the transition between peacetime and wartime readiness,” she said.
