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🇸🇬 Singapore /Conflict & Security

Why Taiwan’s idyllic eastern outlying islands are increasingly crucial in its defence calculus

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Taiwan's outlying Green Island and Orchid Island are becoming increasingly important in its defense strategy.
  • Recent military drills on these islands signal a response to China's escalating grey-zone pressures in eastern waters.
  • The increased military attention is welcomed by some local residents who feel the islands are often overlooked.

Pan Hsin-chieh, a cafe owner on Taiwan's Green Island, was unaware that local military troops had recently conducted extensive drills near her restaurant. Upon learning this, the 29-year-old welcomed the increased attention, stating, "Sometimes, it feels like the government treats the outlying islands as an afterthought. If there is more attention being given to our area, it’s not a bad thing."

Green Island, a popular tourist destination known for diving and natural hot springs, is situated 33km off Taiwan's southeastern coast. Along with Orchid Island, it is administered as a rural township of Taitung County. These islands are now central to Taiwan's defense calculus due to escalating Chinese grey-zone pressures in the waters east of Taiwan.

Sometimes, it feels like the government treats the outlying islands as an afterthought. If there is more attention being given to our area, it’s not a bad thing.

— Pan Hsin-chiehA Taiwanese cafe owner on Green Island welcoming increased military attention to the outlying islands.

On July 16, Taiwan’s Second Theatre Command conducted military drills on Green Island and Orchid Island for the first time in 30 years. These exercises involved troops rehearsing equipment transport by land and sea to establish defensive positions against surprise attacks. This action comes as China increases patrols and "special maritime traffic law enforcement" operations in eastern waters, which Taiwan views as an attempt to claim these areas.

Taiwan's Defence Minister Wellington Koo stated on June 8 that Beijing is "attempting to claim the eastern waters as their domain, like casting a large spider’s web over the area." The China Coast Guard has also been detected in waters east of Orchid Island, claiming to be "strengthening control over the relevant waters." Taiwan's coast guard responded by monitoring the Chinese ships and accusing Beijing of "fake law enforcement, real expansion of power."

Beijing is “attempting to claim the eastern waters as their domain, like casting a large spider’s web over the area”.

— Wellington KooTaiwan's Defence Minister Wellington Koo on China's actions in the waters east of Taiwan.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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