Taiwan Foreign Minister Raises Alarm Over China's 'Enormous' Military Presence in South China Sea

Wu stated that Taiwan was the rightful owner of the island and that the government would protect its sovereignty

Digital Desk: The foreign minister of Taiwan stated on Wednesday that although Taipei is not seeking to further exacerbate tensions in the vital waterway, China has constructed "enormous" military outposts on three islands bordering Taiwan's largest claim in the South China Sea.

China and Taiwan both claim the majority of the South China Sea as their own property, although Taiwan only has sovereignty over Itu Aba, also known as Taiping, an islet in the disputed Spratly Islands located far down the southern portion of the sea.

A Chinese drone entered Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) in the southwest, while a PLA helicopter was seen in the southeast part of the ADIZ, out of the nine PLA aircraft. Taiwan responded by deploying air defence missile systems, naval vessels, and planes to keep an eye on the PLA's operations, news agency ANI reported.

Reporters questioned Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu about requests for Tsai to visit Itu Aba. Wu stated that Taiwan was the rightful owner of the island and that the government would protect its sovereignty.

"China has already created very enormous South China Sea military bases on the three islands surrounding Taiping - Subi Reef, Fiery Cross Reef and Mischief Reef - and these are all quite close to our Taiping," Reuters quotes Wu as saying.

Taiwan News claims that in only one month, the country has received reports of 194 Chinese military aircraft breaching its airspace and 123 Chinese navy vessels trespassing on its territorial seas.

China's massive land reclamation efforts on its South China Sea islands, together with the construction of significant air force and other military facilities, have raised serious concerns in Washington and the surrounding area.

China asserts that it is fully entitled to occupy and protect the areas it claims as its own.

Taiwan is also in charge of the Pratas Islands, which are located in the northern part of the South China Sea. Beijing regularly asserts its territorial claims to Taiwan through routine air and naval operations in the area, allegations that Taipei's administration disputes.

Other South China Sea claims are disputed by Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.