Disputed archipelago in the South China Sea
Taiwan has maintained its stance on sovereignty over Itu Aba (Taiping) in the Spratly Islands and carried out environmental and humanitarian drills, including a beach cleanup on Zhongzhou Reef. The Coast Guard says the exercise aims to support sovereignty while avoiding regional tension, amid protests from Vietnam and competing claims from China.
The South China Sea remains volatile as Manila and Beijing exchange coast guard actions around Sandy Cay and Scarborough Shoal. Philippine coast guard identifies Chinese vessels and personnel deemed illegal, while Taiwan’s minister notes sovereignty patrols and environmental drills in Spratly-held Itu Aba and Zhongzhou Reef amid ongoing US‑Philippine exercises.