Taiwan Reinforces South China Sea Outpost Amid Reports That China Was Going To Simulate An Attack On The Islets

SCMP: Taiwan sends marines to reinforce South China Sea outpost amid reports of major PLA landing drill

* Military source says around 200-strong force has been sent to the Pratas Islands following reports PLA was planning large-scale simulated invasion
* Mainland China has been steadily boosting its presence in the disputed waters, where a number of other countries have claims

Taiwan’s military has sent a marine company to reinforce the garrison on a small outpost in the South China Sea amid reports that the People’s Liberation Army was planning a simulated attack on the islets.

A military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the navy had sent a company of around 200 marines to reinforce the coastguards stationed on the Pratas Islands, which are known as the Dongsha Islands in Chinese.

“The marines left for the Pratas about a week ago and will remain there on a short-term rather than a long-term basis,” the source said, adding the posting was in line with the military’s off-site training operations.

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WNU Editor: Seizing these islands would be a strategic victory for China. But this deployment of Taiwanese marines is a message to China that Taiwan will defend its territory.

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