View source for Taiping Island

{{Short description|Disputed island in the South China Sea}}
{{Infobox islands
| disputed                   = yes
| name                       = Taiping Island
| type                       = island
| other_names                = <br>Itu Aba ''(Malay)''{{NoteTag|The feature is designated as ITU ABA ISLAND on [[:File:Operational_Navigation_Chart_K-10,_10th_edition.jpg|NOAA chart K10]]|name=ItuAbu}}<br>Tàipíng Dǎo (太平島/太平岛) ''(Mandarin Chinese)''<br>Ligao Island ''(Philippine English)''<br>Pulo ng Ligaw ''(Filipino)''<br>Đảo Ba Bình ''(Vietnamese)''<br>Huángshānmǎ Jiāo (黃山馬礁/黄山马礁) ''(Mandarin Chinese)''<br>Huángshānmǎ Zhì (黃山馬峙/黄山马峙) ''(Mandarin Chinese)''<br>Nagashima (長島) ''(Japanese)''<br>Widuabe ''(Hainanese)''
| image_name                 = Itu Aba Island.png
| image_size                 = 250px
| image_caption              = Taiping Island
| pushpin_map                = Spratly Islands relief
| image_map                  = {{Location map+ | South China Sea |width=300 |float=right 
|caption= Location of [[Pratas Island]], Taiping Island<br/>
Legend： [[File:Red_pog.svg|8px]] {{color|red|[[Pratas Island]]}} [[File:Blue_pog.svg|8px]] {{color|blue|Taiping Island}} [[File:Green_pog.svg|8px]] {{color|green|[[Kaohsiung]]}}
|places= 
{{Location map~ | South China Sea |lat=20.703572 |long=116.727538 |label= [[Pratas Island]] | mark=  Red pog.svg |marksize=6 |position=left }}
{{Location map~ | South China Sea |lat=10.377220 |long=114.366390 |label= Taiping Island | mark=  Blue pog.svg |marksize=6 |position=left }}
{{Location map~ | South China Sea |lat=22.633333 |long=120.266667 |label= [[Kaohsiung]]  | mark= Green pog.svg |marksize=6 |position=left }}
}}
| location                   = [[South China Sea]]
| coordinates                = {{Coord|10|22|37|N|114|21|57|E|display=inline,title}}
| archipelago                = [[Spratly Islands]]
| area_ha                    = 51
| area_footnotes             = <ref>{{cite web |url = http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=241651&ctNode=2316 |title = 外交部と農業委員会、「太平島陸地生態環境調査団」説明会を開催 |access-date=2016-02-02 |date=2016-01-25 |language=ja |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160308014953/http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=241651&ctNode=2316 |archive-date=2016-03-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| length_m                   = 1430
| width_m                    = 402
| country                    = {{ROC-TW}}
| country_admin_divisions_title = [[Special municipality (Republic of China)|Municipality]]<br /> [[District (Taiwan)|District]]
| country_admin_divisions    = [[Kaohsiung]]<br />[[Cijin District, Kaohsiung|Cijin]]
| country1                   = {{CHN}}
| country1_admin_divisions_title = [[Prefecture-level city|City]]
| country1_admin_divisions   = [[Sansha]], [[Hainan]]
| country2                   = {{PHL}}
| country2_admin_divisions_title = [[Municipalities of the Philippines|Municipality]]
| country2_admin_divisions   = [[Kalayaan, Palawan|Kalayaan]], [[Palawan]]
| country3                   = {{ROC-TW}}
| country3_admin_divisions_title = [[Special municipality (Republic of China)|Municipality]]<br /> [[District (Taiwan)|District]]
| country3_admin_divisions   = [[Kaohsiung]]<br />[[Cijin District, Kaohsiung|Cijin]]
| country4                   = {{VNM}}
| country4_admin_divisions_title = [[List of districts of Vietnam|District]]
| country4_admin_divisions   = [[Trường Sa District|Trường Sa]], [[Khánh Hòa Province|Khánh Hòa]]
| population                 = 220 military, coast guard and support personnel; four civilians<ref name="yahoo">[https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E8%AD%B7%E7%90%86%E5%B8%AB%E8%A8%AD%E7%B1%8D%E5%8D%97%E6%B2%99-%E5%89%B5%E5%A4%AA%E5%B9%B3%E5%B3%B6%E9%A6%96%E4%BE%8B-024837275.html 護理師設籍南沙　創太平島首例]</ref>
}}
'''Taiping Island''', also known as '''Itu Aba''',{{NoteTag|name=ItuAbu}} and various other names, is [[List of maritime features in the Spratly Islands#Features by area|the largest]] of the naturally occurring [[Spratly Islands]] in the [[South China Sea]].<ref>C. Michael Hogan (2011) [http://www.eoearth.org/article/South_China_Sea?topic=49523 ''South China Sea'' Topic ed. P.Saundry. Ed.-in-chief C.J.Cleveland. Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington DC]</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = Taiping Island |url = http://marine.cpami.gov.tw/english/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=289&Itemid=161 |work = Spratly islands |publisher = Marine National Park Headquarters (Republic of China) |access-date = 21 March 2014 |archive-date = 4 March 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053708/http://marine.cpami.gov.tw/english/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=289&Itemid=161 |url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = Itu Aba – Inquirer Global Nation |url = http://globalnation.inquirer.net/109656/in-the-know-itu-aba |newspaper = Philippine Daily Inquirer |access-date = 19 Aug 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title = Taiwan Considers Permanent Armed Ships For Disputed South China Sea Island |url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-taiwan-soutchinasea-idUKKCN0I509O20141016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160110095843/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-taiwan-soutchinasea-idUKKCN0I509O20141016 |url-status = dead |archive-date = January 10, 2016 |work = Reuters |author = Michael Gold |access-date = 16 Oct 2014 }}</ref>{{NoteTag|Note that from 2014 the PRC embarked on seven major reclamation projects in the Spratly Islands area. It appears that the largest of these are at [[Subi Reef]] and [[Mischief Reef]]. The reclamation at [[Fiery Cross Reef]] is of at least 60 hectares, and according to some unverifiable sources, possibly as large as 150 ha.<ref>{{cite web |author1 = Kristine Kwok |author2 = Minnie Chan |date= 2014-06-08 |title = China plans artificial island in disputed Spratlys chain in South China Sea |newspaper = South China Morning Post |url = http://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/1527059/china-plans-artificial-island-disputed-spratlys-chain-south-china-sea |access-date = 2014-09-28 }}</ref>}} The island is elliptical in shape being {{convert|1.4|km|mi}} in length and {{convert|0.4|km|mi}} in width, with an area of {{convert|46|ha|acres}}. It is located on the northern edge of the [[Tizard Bank]] (Zheng He Reefs; 鄭和群礁). The runway of the [[Taiping Island Airport]] is easily the most prominent feature on the island, running its entire length.

The island is administered by the [[Taiwan|Republic of China (Taiwan)]], as part of [[Cijin District, Kaohsiung|Cijin]], [[Kaohsiung]]. It is also claimed by the [[China|People's Republic of China]] (PRC), the [[Philippines]] and [[Vietnam]].

In 2016, in the ruling by an arbitral tribunal in the [[Intergovernmental organization|intergovernmental]] [[Permanent Court of Arbitration]], in the case brought by the [[Philippines vs. China|Philippines against China]], the tribunal classified Itu Aba as a "rock" under [[United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea]] (UNCLOS) (and therefore not entitled to a 200 nautical mile [[exclusive economic zone]] (EEZ) and continental shelf). Both Republic of China (Taiwan) and People's Republic of China rejected this ruling.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://thediplomat.com/2016/07/taiwan-south-china-sea-ruling-completely-unacceptable/| title = Taiwan: South China Sea Ruling 'Completely Unacceptable' | work = [[The Diplomat]] | access-date = 2016-07-13 | date = 2016-07-13 | first = Shannon | last = Tiezzi}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2016/07/13/2003650919| title = Government rejects South China Sea ruling | first = Stacy |last = Hsu | work = [[The Taipei Times]] | access-date = 2016-07-13 | date = 2016-07-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url = http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/taiwan-rejects-south-china-sea-ruling-says-will-deploy-another-navy-vessel-to-itu-aba | publisher = Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co.| work = [[The Straits Times]] | access-date = 2016-07-13 | date = 2016-07-12 | first = Jermyn |last = Chow | title = Taiwan rejects South China Sea ruling, says will deploy another navy vessel to Taiping}}</ref> According to an article from [[Australian Strategic Policy Institute|ASPI]], a significant portion of international opinions views Itu Aba as an "island," despite the Tribunal's ruling, and that very few experts expected it to be classified as a "rock".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zhang |first=Feng |date=2016-07-14 |title=Breathtaking but counterproductive: the South China Sea arbitration award |url=https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/breathtaking-counterproductive-south-china-sea-arbitration-award/ |access-date=2024-05-22 |website=The Strategist |language=en-AU}}</ref>

The adjacent unpopulated [[Zhongzhou Reef]] (Ban Than Reef) is also under the control of Taiwan.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hsiao |first1=Anne Hsiu-An |last2=Lin |first2=Cheng-Yi |title=The South China Sea Dispute |date=19 May 2017 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=9789814695565 |pages=74–103 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/south-china-sea-dispute/taiwans-evolving-policy-towards-the-south-china-sea-dispute-19922016/709BB10CBED02E9B0A5CDB1D5E3B8435 |access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=繆 |first1=宇綸 |title=我在南海佔領中洲礁 太平島官兵定期巡視 |url=https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E6%88%91%E5%9C%A8%E5%8D%97%E6%B5%B7%E4%BD%94%E9%A0%98%E4%B8%AD%E6%B4%B2%E7%A4%81-%E5%A4%AA%E5%B9%B3%E5%B3%B6%E5%AE%98%E5%85%B5%E5%AE%9A%E6%9C%9F%E5%B7%A1%E8%A6%96-014104550.html |website=Yahoo News |date=12 August 2016 |publisher=中國廣播公司 |access-date=31 October 2021}}</ref>

==Names==
[[File:Operational Navigation Chart K-10, 10th edition.jpg|left|thumb|Historical English-language map of the region including the island (labeled as ITU ABA ISLAND) ([[Defense Mapping Agency|DMA]], 1984)]]
In 1946, the [[Republic of China (1912–1949)|Republic of China]] named it Taiping Island ([[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]] {{zh|t=太平島|p=Tàipíng Dǎo|l=Very Peaceful Island}}) in honour of an [[Republic of China Navy|ROC Navy]] warship, ''{{ship|ROCS|Tai-ping}}'' (太平號), which sailed to the island when [[Empire of Japan|Japan]] surrendered after the [[Second World War]].<ref name=yiran2007/><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/taiwan/taiping.htm |title= Itu Aba Island [Taiping Island], Spratly Islands |date= 9 July 2011 |publisher= GlobalSecurity.org}}</ref> The name Taiping Island is used by both the government in [[Taipei]] ([[Taiwan|ROC]])<ref>Soong, Grace, "[http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2011/07/19/310238/Taiping-Island.htm Taiping Island camp shows sovereignty: Ma]", ''The China Post'', July 19, 2011.</ref> and in [[Beijing]] ([[China|PRC]]).<ref>Zhu Xianlong, "[http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200208/13/eng20020813_101395.shtml Commentary: Taiwan Independence No Easy Thing]", ''People's Daily Online'', August 14, 2002.</ref> The island was also called by [[Hainan people|Hainanese]] fishermen in [[Hainanese|their dialect]] as "''Widuabe''" ({{linktext|黃|山|馬}}) and in [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]] {{zh|t=黃山馬礁|p=Huángshānmǎ Jiāo|l=Yellow Mountain Horse Reef}} and {{zh|t=黃山馬峙|p=Huángshānmǎ Zhì|l=Yellow Mountain Horse Undersea Mound}}.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Pike |first=John |date=January 31, 2004 |title=Itu Aba Island [Taiping Island], Spratly Islands |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/taiwan/taiping.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040209072510/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/taiwan/taiping.htm |archive-date=February 9, 2004 |url-status=dead |website=GlobalSecurity.org}}</ref>

Outside of China and Taiwan, a common name for the island is Itu Aba,{{cn|date=May 2024}} which was in use prior to 1946. Two different etymological origins have been proposed for this name: that it is a [[Malay language|Malay]] expression meaning "What's that?" (conventionally spelled in {{Lang-ms|Itu apa?|lit=What's that?}}); or that it is a corruption of [[Hainanese]]: ''Widuabe'' ({{linktext|黃|山|馬}}).<ref name=":1" /> Some Western sources including U.S. government publications continue to use "Itu Aba" as the primary designator of the land feature, often with "Taiping" in parentheses.

The Vietnamese name for the island is Ba Binh ({{lang-vi|Đảo Ba Bình|lit=calm wave/sea island}}, {{Lang-vi-hantu|島波平}})<ref>"[http://en.vietnamplus.vn/Home/VN-demands-a-stop-to-violation-of-sovereignty/20125/26023.vnplus VN demands a stop to violation of sovereignty]", ''Vietnam+'', May 10, 2012.</ref><ref>"[http://english.vietnamnet.vn/en/special-report/9787/historical-documents-on-vietnam-s-sovereignty-over-paracel-and-spratly-islands.html Historical documents on Vietnam’s sovereignty over Paracel and Spratly islands] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105171056/https://english.vietnamnet.vn/en/special-report/9787/historical-documents-on-vietnam-s-sovereignty-over-paracel-and-spratly-islands.html |date=2019-11-05 }}", ''VietNamNet'', June 24, 2011.</ref> and the [[Philippine English]] name is Ligao Island (or in [[Filipino language|Filipino]]/{{Lang-tl|Pulo ng Ligaw|lit=Island of Lost / Wild}}).

During the [[Empire of Japan|Japanese]] occupation of the island 1939–45, the name {{nihongo|Nagashima|長島||Long Island}} was used.<ref>D. J. Hancox, John Robert Victor Prescott, (1997). Secret hydrographic surveys in the Spratly Islands. Maritime Institute of Malaysia, p.91. {{ISBN|9839275100}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:ROC Navy at Itu Aba Island.jpg|thumb|ROC Navy at Itu Aba Island]]
From before the 1870s the island was used by fishermen from [[Hainan]]. They had a semi-permanent settlement. Supplies were shipped from Hainan to the island in exchange for turtle shells.<ref>Tizard Bank - Footnote, The China Sea Directory, Hydrographic Office - Admiralty, published by J D Potter, London 1879, page 66</ref>

China first asserted sovereignty in the modern sense to the South China Sea island when it formally objected to France's efforts to incorporate Itu Aba and other islands and rocks into [[French Indochina]] during the 1884–1885 [[Sino-French war]]. The French conceded the [[Paracels]] and Spratly Islands to the [[Qing]] government, in exchange for recognition of Vietnam as a French territory.

Sensing the weaknesses of the Republic of China, France formally incorporated the Paracel and Spratly islands into French Indochina in 1932, a year after the Japanese formally invaded northeast China ([[Manchuria]]). China and Japan both protested. On 6 April 1933,<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Binoche |first=Jacques |date=1990 |title=La politique extrême-orientale française et les relations franco-japonaises de 1919 à 1939 |url=https://www.persee.fr/doc/sfhom_1768-7144_1990_ant_10_1_1002 |journal=Publications de la Société française d'histoire des outre-mers |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=263–275}}</ref> France seized the Spratlys, formally included them in French Indochina, and built a couple of weather stations on them, but did not disturb the numerous Chinese fishermen it found there. On 3 July 1938,<ref name=":0" /> French Indochinese colonial troops also formally occupied the Paracel islands in the name of French Indochina. The following year in March 1939, Japan took both the Paracel and Spratly islands from France, garrisoned them, and built a submarine base on Taiping (太平) Island. In 1941, the Japanese Empire made the Paracel and Spratly islands part of Taiwan, then under its rule.

In 1945, in accordance with the [[1943 Cairo Declaration|Cairo]] and [[Potsdam Declaration|Potsdam]] Declarations and with American help, the armed forces of the Republic of China government at Nanjing accepted the surrender of the Japanese garrisons in Taiwan, including the Paracel and Spratly Islands. Nanjing then declared both archipelagoes to be part of Guangdong Province. It was administratively attached to the municipality of Takao (Kaohsiung) in the Japanese colony of Taiwan. On 6 November 1946, the ROC government sent four warships to the South China Sea to secure islands within the region, commanded by [[:zh:林遵|Lin Zun]] and Yao Ruyu (姚汝鈺): ''ROCS Chung-Yeh'' (中業號), ''ROCS Yung-hsing'' (永興號), ''{{ship|ROCS|Tai-ping}}'' (太平號) and ''ROCS Chung-chien'' (中建號). The warships departed from [[Guangzhou]] and headed towards the Spratly and Paracel island groups. On 12 December the two ships led by Lin Zun, ''ROCS Tai-ping'' and ''ROCS Chung-Yeh'', arrived at Taiping Island. In commemoration of the island being secured, the island was chosen to be named after the ''ROCS Tai-ping'' warship, and thus a stone stele reading "Taiping island" was erected on a breakwater tip southwest of the island.<ref name=yiran2007>吕一燃 (Lu Yiran), 2007. 中国近代边界史 (A modern history of China's borders), Vol. 2. 四川人民出版社 (Sichuan People's Publishing), pp.1092–1093. {{ISBN|7220073313}}</ref> This expedition was assisted with US naval logistical support.<ref>{{cite book |last1=James Chieh Hsiung |title=South China Sea Disputes And The Us-china Contest, The: International Law And Geopolitics |date=2018 |publisher=World Scientific |isbn=978-9813231115 |page=5}}</ref> The other three ships likewise had their names used: Woody Island (in the Paracels) was named [[Woody Island, South China Sea|Yongxing (Yung-hsing) Island]] (presently PRC-occupied), Triton Island (Paracels) was named [[Triton Island|Zhongjian (Chung-chien) Island]] (presently PRC-occupied), and Thitu Island (Spratlys) was named [[Thitu Island|Zhongye (Chung-Yeh) Island]] (presently Philippines-occupied).

After being secured by Nationalist China, the island was placed under the administration of China's [[Guangdong]] Province. When the [[Chinese Communist Party|Chinese Communists]] gained control of mainland China, the defeated Nationalists retreated to Taiwan, but retained control of the Taiping garrison.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Spratly Islands |url=http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761582978/Spratly_Islands.html |publisher=[[Microsoft|Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2008]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029063837/http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761582978/Spratly_Islands.html |archive-date=2009-10-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Japan officially renounced its control and transferred the island to the trusteeship of the Allied Powers within the [[San Francisco Peace Treaty]] on September 8, 1951.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2016-07/06/content_25992817_2.htm|title=South China Sea: How we got to this stage|date=July 6, 2018|newspaper=China Daily|quote=Signed on September 8, 1951 and entering into force on April 28, 1952, the document served to end the Allied post-war occupation of Japan and establish Japan's role in the international arena. It officially renounced Japan's rights to the land it occupied including “renounces all right, title and claim to the Spratly Islands and to the Paracel Islands”. Its Article 2(6) provided that "Japan renounces all right, title and claim to the Spratly Islands (the Nansha Islands) and to the Paracel Islands (the Xisha Islands)", but did not specify the ownership of these islands.}}</ref> A different interpretation is that Japan officially renounced its sovereignty and transferred the island to the Republic of China under the provisions of the Taipei Peace Treaty.{{when|date=October 2014}}<ref>{{cite web |title= Taipei Peace Treaty |url=http://www.taiwandocuments.org/taipei01.htm |access-date=26 October 2014}}</ref>

In 1952, a Philippine civilian (Tomás Cloma) began to mine sulfur from Taiping Island after claiming it as part of Freedomland and that same year, a note attached to the [[Treaty of Taipei]] provided the Nationalist Chinese arguments for sovereignty over the island. The Nationalists established a permanent presence on the island in July 1956.<ref>Severino, Rodolfo, ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=83BIxG7Ig2cC&q=1956&pg=PA74 Where in the World Is the Philippines?: Debating Its National Territory]'', 2011, p. 79, {{ISBN|978-981431170-0}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Conquest of Tomás Cloma |url=https://www.defactoborders.org/places/spratly-islands/freedom-for-tomas-cloma |website=www.defactoborders.org/}}</ref>

[[File:Txu-pclmaps-oclc-22834566 k-10c.jpg|left|thumb|Map of the region including the island (labeled as ITU ABA ISLAND) ([[National Imagery and Mapping Agency|NIMA]], 2001)]]
From 2000, a detachment of the ROC [[Coast Guard Administration]] was stationed on the island, replacing the [[Republic of China Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] detachment. The [[Taiping Island Airport]] was completed in December 2007,<ref>[http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2006/01/06/2003287638 "MND admits strategic value of Spratly airstrip."] ''[[Taipei Times]]''. 6 January 2006. p. 2 ''(MND is the ROC Ministry of National Defense)''</ref> and a [[C-130 Hercules]] transporter airplane first landed on the island on 21 January 2008.

On 2 February 2008, ROC president [[Chen Shui-bian]] personally visited the island accompanied by a significant naval force including two fleets with [[Kidd class destroyer]] flagships and two submarines.<ref>Shih Hsiu-chuan, Hsu Shao-hsuan, and Jimmy Chuang. [http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2008/02/03/2003400014 "President visits disputed islands."] ''[[Taipei Times]]''. 3 February 2008. p. 1.</ref> On 19 April 2011, it was announced that the Marine Corps would once again be stationed on the island.<ref>Cindy Sui, 19 April 2011, [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-13130208 Taiwan to boost forces in disputed Spratly Islands], BBC News</ref>

In February 2012, the ROC began construction of an antenna tower and associated facilities with the purpose of providing navigation assistance for aircraft landing. The tower had a planned height of approximately 7 to 8 metres (25'), and was scheduled to be completed in April 2012, and fully functional after proper testing in September 2012.<ref>6 February 2012, [http://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E5%A4%AA%E5%B9%B3%E5%B3%B6-%E5%B0%87%E5%BB%BA%E5%8A%A9%E5%B0%8E%E8%88%AA%E5%A1%94-202100398.html 太平島 將建助導航塔] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208114539/http://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E5%A4%AA%E5%B9%B3%E5%B3%B6-%E5%B0%87%E5%BB%BA%E5%8A%A9%E5%B0%8E%E8%88%AA%E5%A1%94-202100398.html |date=2013-02-08 }}, [[Liberty Times]]</ref> In July 2012, ROC authorities revealed a project which intended to extend the runway by 500 metres (660 yards), which would allow the island to accommodate various kinds of military aircraft.<ref>July 15, 2012, [http://news.abs-cbn.com/nation/07/15/12/taiwan-mulls-extending-runway-spratlys-report Taiwan mulls extending runway in Spratlys: report], The West Australian {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

In late August 2013, the ROC government announced that it would spend US$112 million on upgrading the island's airstrip, and constructing a dock capable of allowing its 3,000-ton Coast Guard cutters to dock, due to be completed by 2016.<ref>2013-09-02, [http://www.voanews.com/content/taiwan-plans-new-infrastructure-for-disputed-south-china-sea-claim/1741463.html Taiwan Plans New Infrastructure for Disputed South China Sea Claim], [[Voice of America]]</ref>

On July 12, 2016, a tribunal of the [[Permanent Court of Arbitration]] backed the Philippines in an [[Philippines v. China|arbitration proceedings]] against China's "[[nine-dash line]]" claim which includes Taiping Island controlled by Taiwan.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/aa32a224-480e-11e6-8d68-72e9211e86ab.html |title=Timeline: South China Sea dispute |date=12 July 2016 |work=Financial Times }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/news/china/21702069-region-and-america-will-now-anxiously-await-chinas-response-un-appointed-tribunal |title=A UN-appointed tribunal dismisses China's claims in the South China Sea|date=12 July 2016 |newspaper=The Economist}}</ref><ref name="BBC 2016">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-36771749 |title=South China Sea: Tribunal backs case against China brought by Philippines |date=12 July 2016 |work=BBC }}</ref> Both China and Taiwan have strongly rejected the ruling.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/13/world/asia/south-china-sea-hague-ruling-philippines.html?_r=0 |title=Beijing's South China Sea Claims Rejected by Hague Tribunal |first=Jane|last= Perez |date=12 July 2016 |work=The New York Times }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/1988990/taiwan-controlled-taiping-island-rock-says |title=Taiwan-controlled Taiping Island is a rock, says international court in South China Sea ruling |date=12 July 2016 |work=South China Morning Post |author1= Jun Mai |author2= Shi Jiangtao}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{more citations needed section|date=August 2022}}
[[File:00-149 Tizard Bank Spratly Islands.png|right|500px]]
[[File:Txu-oclc-6654394-nc-50-4th-ed.jpg|right|thumb|Map including Tizard Bank and Reefs from the [[International Map of the World]] ([[Army Map Service|AMS]], 1956)]]

===Ecology===
The flora and fauna present on and surrounding the island include [[swallow]]s, [[papaya]] plant, coast oak, [[terminalia (plant)|terminalia]] trees, lotus leaf tung tree, [[goodeniaceae]], [[Ximenia americana|sea lemon]], long stem [[chrysanthemum]], long-saddle [[rattan]], gray grass, [[coconut]] tree, [[banana]] tree, [[white-tailed tropicbird]], [[sparrow hawk]], tropical fish, [[jellyfish]] and various other organisms. The Island is also a nesting ground for [[green sea turtle]]s migrating from Philippines.<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Island: The Atlas of Taiping Island of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Vol. 1|url=http://www.mofa.gov.tw/Upload/RelFile/1125/150640/848fe97d-1e7c-4ad1-95f4-86b922f9fceb.pdf|access-date=2016-08-16|archive-date=2019-08-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830192629/https://www.mofa.gov.tw/Upload/RelFile/1125/150640/848fe97d-1e7c-4ad1-95f4-86b922f9fceb.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|year=2015|title=Introducing the Republic of China's Taiping Island|url=http://web.roc-taiwan.org/public/HU_hu_localNews/5121517564271.pdf|access-date=2016-08-16}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Geology and landform===
The island has a long and narrow shape that is low and flat, that is approximately 1,289.3 metres (1410 yards) long and 365.7 metres (400 yards) wide. The area of the north–south coastline is 41.3 hectares (102 acres), and the coastal vegetation line range is 36.6 hectares (90 acres). The mean tidewater over land area is approximately 49 hectares (120 acres), and during low sea tides the water reefs and land area is 98 hectares (250 acres), 4–6 metres (13' to 20') above sea level.

Since Taiping island is a coral island, the surface includes fine sand and coral reefs formed by weathering. Around the island are sandy beaches, with narrower beaches on the south and north sides 5 metres (16') wide, on the east side 20 metres (65') wide, and on the southwest side 50 metres (165') wide. The sand accumulated on the beach is rosy coloured, mainly formed from red coral fragments and shell debris.

A 523-metre long core sample was obtained by the [[CPC Corporation]]. The rock layers were estimated to be as old as 780,000 years at the 43-metre mark and over 2 million years past the 130-metre mark.<ref>{{Cite web |last=魏國彥 |date=2016-01-25 |title=名家觀點－太平島可能比台灣還老 |url=https://www.chinatimes.com/newspapers/20160125001106-260109?chdtv |website=中時新聞網 |language=zh-Hant-TW}}</ref>

===Natural resources===
The island has historically been mined for [[Phosphoric acids and phosphates|phosphates]] to the point of exhaustion, and today has no major natural resources. There is potentially a large amount of undiscovered reserves of oil and natural gas beneath surrounding waters within the South China Sea Basin, however, there has yet to be formal exploration and mining conducted.

===Weather===
Taiping Island has a tropical [[monsoon]] climate, with the temperature varying between 21 and 35 degrees Celsius (70 to 90&nbsp;°F). There is a strong southwest monsoon in summer months in June and July, with strong southwest wind and currents, and during the time typhoons become frequent there is abundant rainfall. The rainy season occurs during November and December.

==Government and politics==
The island, along with the rest of the Spratlys, is disputed by four countries on historical, geographic, legal and/or technical grounds, in pursuit of fishing rights, shipping lanes, and the potential of [[petroleum]] and [[natural gas]] beneath the South China Sea. Although it is anticipated that the South China Sea basin is abundant in oil and natural gas, the waters surrounding Taiping Island have yet to be formally surveyed or extracted. [[Kuomintang]] legislator Lin Yu-fang has stated that the [[CPC Corporation, Taiwan|Chinese Petroleum Corporation]] has not excluded the option of prospecting territorial waters in the near future, with the military providing naval escort assistance upon directive from the [[:zh:中華民國國家安全會議|National Security Council of the Republic of China]].<ref>蕭照平, 3 May 2012, [https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E5%A4%AA%E5%B9%B3%E5%B3%B6%E5%8B%98%E6%B2%B9%E8%BB%8D%E8%89%A6%E8%AD%B7%E8%88%AA-%E5%9C%8B%E9%98%B2%E9%83%A8-%E8%B7%9F%E6%B5%B7%E5%B7%A1%E7%BD%B2%E5%8D%94%E8%AA%BF-040249068.html 太平島勘油軍艦護航？國防部：跟海巡署協調], [[China Times]]. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20140607014503/https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E5%A4%AA%E5%B9%B3%E5%B3%B6%E5%8B%98%E6%B2%B9%E8%BB%8D%E8%89%A6%E8%AD%B7%E8%88%AA-%E5%9C%8B%E9%98%B2%E9%83%A8-%E8%B7%9F%E6%B5%B7%E5%B7%A1%E7%BD%B2%E5%8D%94%E8%AA%BF-040249068.html WebCite archive])</ref>

Taiping Island is administered under the [[Direct-controlled municipality|Municipality]] of [[Kaohsiung]] City, [[Cijin District, Kaohsiung|Cijin District]], by the Republic of China (Taiwan). Postal service is provided by [[Chunghwa Post]] under the assigned area code "819". The Republic of China (Taiwan) military postal service uses the designation "post office branch 68" ("68局") for postage services for the island. The total population of the island is about 600 with no civilians. Land pricing is managed by the Kaohsiung local government, although there have been no cases of actual transactions being made. In 2007, the announced land value adjustments placed the value of the land on Taiping Island at [[New Taiwan dollar|NT$]]400 per square metre.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

Prior to 2012, the island's coast guard defense forces held {{convert|106|mm|0|abbr=on}} recoilless guns and {{convert|81|mm|0|abbr=on}} mortars. These were planned to be replaced by eight sets of {{convert|40|mm|0|abbr=on}} auto-cannons and a number of {{convert|120|mm|0|abbr=on}} mortars by the end of August 2012.<ref>Joseph Yeh, 25 July 2012, [http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2012/07/25/348736/Cannons-and.htm Cannons and mortars to be deployed on Taiping in South China Sea: MND], The China Post (Taiwan)</ref>

==Facilities==
{{more citations needed section|date=March 2016}}
Taiping Island has four existing wells. The proportion of fresh water in them is 99.1, 75.8, 97.5, and 96.8 percent, respectively, averaging 92.3 percent. About 65 metric tons of water can be pumped from these wells daily to provide drinking water and meet cooking and everyday needs.  Apart from well water, there are water-retaining facilities mainly used for farming.<ref>{{Cite press release |url = http://www.moi.gov.tw/english/english_news/news_detail.aspx?sn=14067&type=ministry&pages=0 |title = ROC Minister of the Interior Chen Wei-zen presides over a ceremony marking the opening of a wharf and lighthouse on Taiping Island |date = 12 December 2015|access-date = 2016-01-13 |publisher = Ministry of Interior (ROC, Taiwan)}}</ref>

Since December 2014, the island has been powered by a 40&nbsp;kWp [[photovoltaic power station]] with a 612&nbsp;kW storage facility that will generate an estimated 50MWh per year. The project was divided into two phases: the first phase was completed in December 2011; and the second in December 2014. The entire solar power system will generate an estimated 189,492&nbsp;kWh per year, saving an estimated 49,000 litres of diesel fuel per year. It was funded by the [[Ministry of Economic Affairs (Taiwan)|Ministry of Economic Affairs]].<ref>{{cite web |title = Solar power system expanded on Taiping Island |url = http://focustaiwan.tw/news/aipl/201412140020.aspx |date = 14 December 2014 |work = Focus Taiwan}}</ref>

The [[Taiping Island Airport]] features an airstrip which caters for [[C-130]] transport planes of the [[ROC Air Force]], with one [[sortie]] arriving every two months.  No re-fueling facilities are available. Depending on sources, the runway is either 1150 or 1200 metres (approx. 1300 yards) long, 30 metres (100') wide, and has a large hard-standing area capable of accommodating two C-130 aircraft. The island also has a helicopter platform.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://amti.csis.org/taiping-island-an-island-or-a-rock-under-unclos/|title=TAIPING ISLAND: AN ISLAND OR A ROCK UNDER UNCLOS|date=May 7, 2015|publisher=ASIA MARITIME TRANSPARENCY INITIATIVE}}</ref>

Additional facilities located on the island include a shelter for fishermen, a [[Nansha Hospital|hospital]] (including a civilian doctor), satellite telecommunications facilities, radar surveillance equipment, and other communications equipment. Five public telephones are connected via satellite. The island also has Internet connectivity. Mobile phone reception is available for individuals with international roaming; a signal from [[China Mobile]] can be accessed from a GSM base station located on PRC-occupied [[Gaven Reef|Nanxun Reef]]. In 2013, Taiwan's [[Chunghwa Telecom]] established a satellite-based cellular base station on the island to provide the coast guard with communication services.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}

The ROC maintains a large meteorological station on Taiping island. The station collects weather information using surface instruments, launching weather balloons daily.<ref>{{cite web |title=ROC to upgrade weather stations in disputed Spratlys |url=http://taiwaninfo.nat.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=59686&CtNode=103&htx_TRCategory=&mp=4 |publisher=Government of the Republic of China |access-date=2015-03-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402140649/http://taiwaninfo.nat.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=59686&CtNode=103&htx_TRCategory=&mp=4 |archive-date=2015-04-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The ROC [[Central Weather Bureau]] has an employee presence on the island.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}

Guanyin Temple, built in 1959, and nearby tombstones dating back to the [[Qing dynasty]] (which lasted until 1911) can show traces of Chinese activity on the island.<ref>{{cite web|title=Taiping Island is an island, not a rock, and the ROC possesses full rights associated with an exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in accordance with UNCLOS|url=http://www.mofa.gov.tw/en/News_Content.aspx?n=8157691CA2AA32F8&sms=4F8ED5441E33EA7B&s=174B7FC38E9C9F9B|publisher=MOFA(ROC)}}</ref>

==Coast guard==
[[File:太平島竣工碼頭.jpg|right|thumb|350px|Taiping Island Pier, 2015.]]

Three [[Coast Guard Administration]] boats of the Type M8 speedboat, designated ''Nanhai 4'', ''Nanhai 5'', and ''Nanhai 6'' ({{zh|t=南海四號, 南海五號, 南海六號}}, "Nanhai" literally translates to "South Sea" or "[[South China Sea]]"), respectively, are prepared to patrol the island but are not considered sufficient to adequately monitor the island's surroundings. Bridge piers were constructed in 1992 but some had been damaged. In December 2006, rebuilding began on a damaged L-shaped pier, the Southern Star Ferry Pier ({{zh |t = 南星碼頭}}), in order to improve the transportation and supply of materials for the Coast Guard. Currently, as of 2017, a military supply ship services the island during a single voyage in April and November each year, anchoring for one day to deliver personnel and military supplies. Additionally, a civil merchantman arrives with general goods every 20 days, anchoring for 1 to 2 days at a time. This ship may be used as a transport for the stationed coast guard personnel.<ref>{{Cite news |last=添斌 |first=羅 |title=敦睦艦隊訪太平島 萬噸磐石艦首次錨泊 |work=Liberty Times Net |url=https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/2081909}}</ref>

==Tourist attractions==
A temple on the island exists as a common visiting place. The southeast side of the island contains old Japanese constructions. The "Taiping Cultural Park" ({{zh|c=太平文化公園}}) is located near the pier. There is also a pillar erected on the island that declares Taiping Island as a territory of the Republic of China.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

==Sister cities==
The following are [[sister city|sister cities]] with Taiping Island:

* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Lincoln, Nebraska|Lincoln]], [[Nebraska]]<ref>{{cite web |title=InterLinc – City of Lincoln – Mayor's Dept Sister Cities |publisher=City of Lincoln, Nebraska |url = http://lincoln.ne.gov/city/mayor/siscity.htm |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131219030529/http://lincoln.ne.gov/city/mayor/siscity.htm |archive-date=19 December 2013 |access-date=24 December 2013}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Pratas Island]] (Tungsha, Dongsha)<!-- What merits this inclusion in the list? -->
* [[List of islands of Taiwan]]
* [[List of maritime features in the Spratly Islands]]
* [[South China Sea Islands]]
* [[Taiping Island Airport]]
* [[Zhongzhou Reef]]
* [[List of Taiwanese superlatives]]

== Notes ==
{{NoteFoot}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Taiping Island}}
* [https://amti.csis.org/itu-aba-island/ Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative Island Tracker]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160718014655/http://taiping-island.tw/ The International Portal of Taiping Island] (Taiping Island – The Beautiful and Sustainable Island)
* [https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&t=k&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=112047810770307867127.0004460b96d655257cc9c&ll=10.377739,114.366946&spn=0.018743,0.040169&z=15 Satellite image of Taiping Island by Google Maps] 
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070312070930/http://home.arcor.de/be/bethge/states.htm Putative States in the Spratly Archipelago]
* {{cite web |url=http://vm.nthu.edu.tw/southsea/english.travel2_2.htm |title=Ecological Resources |work=Discovering the South China Sea |publisher=vm.nthu.edu.tw |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051124232012/http://vm.nthu.edu.tw/southsea/english.travel2_2.htm |archive-date=2005-11-24 }}
* {{cite web |url=http://vm.nthu.edu.tw/southsea/english.travel2.htm |title=Itu Aba Island |work=Discovering the South China Sea |publisher=vm.nthu.edu.tw |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060209033705/http://vm.nthu.edu.tw/southsea/english.travel2.htm |archive-date=2006-02-09 }}
* [http://paper.wenweipo.com/2008/01/26/YO0801260015.htm paper.wenweipo.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129114254/http://paper.wenweipo.com/2008/01/26/YO0801260015.htm |date=2008-01-29 }} – (Perhaps) Contains [http://image.wenweipo.com/2008/01/26/tw0126a.jpg an undoctored 2008 satellite photo of the island] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602212408/http://image.wenweipo.com/2008/01/26/tw0126a.jpg |date=2021-06-02 }} showing the runway and (one) adjacent "standing area".

{{Kaohsiung}}
{{South China Sea}}

{{Spratly Islands topics}}

[[Category:Islands of the Spratly Islands]]
[[Category:Islands of Kaohsiung]]
[[Category:Islands of the South China Sea]]
[[Category:Disputed islands]]
[[Category:Territorial disputes of China]]
[[Category:Territorial disputes of the Republic of China]]
[[Category:Territorial disputes of the Philippines]]
[[Category:Territorial disputes of Vietnam]]
[[Category:Tizard Bank]]