Pratas Island

Island in the northern South China Sea

“Dongsha” redirects here. For other uses, see Dongsha (disambiguation) .

Pratas Island Disputed island

Native name: 東沙島

Pratas Atoll from space, January 1986.

Pratas Island

Taiping Island

Kaohsiung

class=notpageimage| Location of Pratas Island, Taiping Island

Legend： Pratas Island • Taiping Island • Kaohsiung

Other names Tungsha Island, Dongsha Island Geography Location South China Sea Coordinates 20°42′08″N 116°43′39″E / 20.70222°N 116.72750°E / 20.70222; 116.72750 Total islands 1 [1] : 13  [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] Area 174 ha (430 acres) (land), 64 ha (158.15 acres) (lagoon) [7] [1] : 5  Length 2.8 km (1.74 mi) Width 0.865 km (0.5375 mi) Administration Taiwan Municipality District Kaohsiung Cijin [1] : 23  [8] (Qijin) Claimed by  China [9] [10] [11] : 10  Province Prefecture-level city District Guangdong (Kwangtung) Shanwei (Swabue) Chengqu [12] [13]

Pratas Island, also known as the Tungsha Islands [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] or the Dongsha Islands (Chinese : 東沙群島; pinyin : Dōngshā Qúndǎo; Pe̍h-ōe-jī : Tang-soa Kûn-tó; lit. ‘East Sand Islands’ [11]), presents itself as a singular coral island resting in the northern expanse of the South China Sea [1] [2] [3] [6]. It is currently administered as an integral part of Cijin District , Kaohsiung , Taiwan [24] [25] [26]. Positioned approximately 170 nautical miles (equivalent to 310 kilometers or 200 miles) to the southeast of Hong Kong [7] [27], this island encompasses a total area of about 240 hectares (590 acres). This figure notably includes a 64-hectare (160-acre) lagoon , making it the largest among the entities collectively referred to as the South China Sea Islands [28]. Its modest yet strategically significant landmass hosts the Dongsha Airport .

Beyond the visible landmass, the waters surrounding Pratas Island conceal three distinct undersea features: the Pratas Atoll itself, North Vereker Bank , and South Vereker Bank [1] : 8, 9  [29] [30] [31]. The atoll forms a roughly circular structure, with the crescent-shaped Pratas Island occupying its western sector. Descending beneath the ocean’s surface [32] to the northwest (21°N 116°E / 21°N 116°E / 21; 116) of Pratas Island, the North Vereker Bank ascends to a mere 11 meters (36 feet) below sea level, while the South Vereker Bank lies at a more considerable depth of 58 meters (190 feet) below sea level [14] : 6 .

The region to the west of these banks is characterized by the presence of numerous oil wells, a testament to the area’s perceived resource value [33]. In a move to safeguard its ecological significance, the Dongsha Atoll National Park was formally established on the island in 2007. Despite Taiwan’s administration, the People’s Republic of China maintains a claim over the island, its surrounding atoll, and the associated banks, asserting them as part of Guangdong Province [26]. One might observe that such territorial claims are as persistent as barnacles on a hull, clinging to the same contested waters for centuries.

Pratas Islands

A map of Pratas Island from the NAVOCEANO in 1969 starkly outlines its form. A stele erected on Pratas Island by the ROC Ministry of the Interior stands as a silent declaration, its inscription translating to “Barrier of the South China Sea ,” a rather optimistic moniker given the persistent squabbles. The image of the USS Frank Knox aground on Pratas Reef in 1965 serves as a stark reminder that even mighty vessels are subservient to nature’s whims, or perhaps, navigational oversights.

The English designation for this island, “Pratas Island,” is a linguistic echo from the 16th century, derived from the Portuguese “Ilhas das Pratas,” meaning “Silver Plate Islands.” This evocative name was bestowed upon the atoll by early European navigators, presumably due to its distinctively round configuration when viewed from above [citation needed] [34]. The atoll is also, rather prosaically, referred to as Pratas Reef [35].

The island is also known by its Wade–Giles -derived romanization as Tungsha Island [23] [36] [20] [37] [38] (Tung-sha Tao), originating from its Mandarin Chinese name, 東沙島. Correspondingly, Dongsha Island [39] (Dongsha Dao) is its pinyin -derived equivalent. It’s worth noting that a smaller island sharing the same Chinese character name exists within the Taiwan-administered Dongyin Township in the Matsu Islands , located in the East China Sea , a potential source of minor, yet persistent, confusion [40] [41].

The broader geographical area encompassing the island, its atoll, and the submerged banks is frequently referred to in the plural as the Pratas Islands [1] : 7  [2] [18] [42] [19] (Chinese : 東沙群島; pinyin : Dōngshā Qúndǎo; Pe̍h-ōe-j%C4%AB : Tang-soa Kûn-tó; lit. ‘East Sand Islands’ [11] : 17 ). Other common designations include the Tungsha Islands [18] [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] and the Dongsha Islands [2] [42]. Despite the plural terminology, a closer inspection reveals that Pratas Island is, in fact, the sole emergent landmass [1] : 13  [2] [3] [4] [5], meaning there is no actual group of islands to speak of [6]. Yoshiyuki Ogasawara [ja] of The Diplomat rather unceremoniously, and accurately, characterized the other “entities” in this grouping as “essentially rocks” [43]. It seems humanity has a peculiar fondness for exaggerating its possessions, even when they’re mostly underwater.

A curious footnote in the island’s history occurred on May 29, 1945. The American submarine USS Bluegill, after having shelled Japanese positions on the island in January, proceeded to occupy it. The submarine’s commander, acting independently and without direct support from the United States government, raised an American flag, claiming the island for the United States and christening it “Bluegill Island.” This rather audacious declaration was, however, acknowledged by the Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet , Merrill Comstock, in his report to the Pentagon. Despite this recognition, the U.S. government made no subsequent efforts to formalize this claim, and it was never officially pursued [44] [45]. A fleeting moment of impromptu imperialism, quickly forgotten by those who truly wielded power – a common enough tale, if one is paying attention.

History

The treacherous nature of Pratas Island’s reefs has long been a bane for mariners. The East Indiaman Earl Talbot met its unfortunate end on the shores of Pratas Island around October 22, 1800, with all aboard perishing. At that time, British sailors, with a flair for the dramatic, referred to the island as “Perates.” Decades later, in 1851, the British screw sloop HMS Reynard suffered a similar fate, wrecking on the southeast bend of Pratas Atoll while attempting to assist another distressed vessel. Mercifully, her entire crew was saved [46]. For years afterward, the boilers and various machinery parts from the Reynard’s wreckage remained conspicuously visible on the atoll, a grim monument to maritime misfortune [47].

Between 1859 and 1861, a series of correspondences unfolded between the British Colonial Office and the colonial authorities in Hong Kong, centered on the prosaic topic of constructing a lighthouse on the atoll’s main island. Despite a compelling offer from a British businessman in Xiamen (Amoy) to undertake the construction, the project was ultimately deemed too costly and subsequently abandoned. It’s clear from these exchanges that, at the time, no one considered the atoll to fall under any established jurisdiction, suggesting that intricate negotiations would have been necessary to legitimize any construction efforts [48]. The bureaucracy of empire, it seems, was as capable of stalling progress then as it is now.

A positive byproduct of this lighthouse initiative was the first comprehensive survey of the atoll, meticulously completed in 1858 by the Royal Navy survey ship HMS Saracen. This effort culminated in the publication of the “Plan of the Pratas Reef and Island” by J. Richards and others in April 1858, under the auspices of the British Admiralty [49]. The resulting chart proposed three potential locations for a lighthouse: on Pratas Island itself, on the northeast corner, or along the southern edge, near where HMS Reynard had run aground. Intriguingly, the chart also marked “Anchorage for junks” in the northeast corner of the lagoon, indicating its regular use by fishing and other small vessels seeking shelter. The chart’s accompanying notes cautioned that the safe draft for entering vessels was a mere 15 feet (4.6 meters), thus restricting access to relatively small craft.

In 1866, the keen-eyed naturalist Cuthbert Collingwood paid a visit to Pratas Island, later immortalizing his observations in a published description [50]. One can only imagine the detached amusement with which he cataloged the island’s biological minutiae, far removed from the geopolitical squabbles that would later plague it.

A particularly unsavory episode unfolded between 1908 and 1909, when a Japanese businessman named Nishizawa Yoshizi (西澤吉次) established a guano collecting operation on the island. His entrepreneurial endeavors, however, extended beyond mere resource extraction. He brazenly destroyed the Dawang Joss House (大王庙), desecrated numerous graves, and scattered the bone ashes of Chinese fishermen into the sea. To add insult to injury, he presumptuously renamed the atoll “Nishizawa Island” [51] [52]. This act of blatant disrespect naturally provoked a diplomatic confrontation, which eventually led to the re-establishment of Chinese sovereignty. Nishizawa was compelled to withdraw, albeit after being compensated by the Guangdong provincial government and, perhaps more tellingly, after paying compensation for the destruction of the Chinese fishermen’s shrine [53]. Even in the pursuit of profit, some lines, it seems, are not to be crossed without consequence.

In December 1930, the Swedish schooner Hedwig added its name to the list of vessels claimed by Pratas Island, running aground on a coral reef and becoming a total wreck [54] [55]. The sea, it seems, has an insatiable appetite for human hubris.

The tumultuous era of World War II also left its mark on Pratas. On May 22, 1944, the Japanese gunboat Hashidate was torpedoed and sunk by the US submarine USS Picuda in the South China Sea , specifically off Pratas Island at 21°08′N 117°20′E / 21.133°N 117.333°E / 21.133; 117.333 (Hashidate). The Hashidate was engaged in the rather perilous task of towing the disabled passenger-cargo ship Tsukuba Maru at the time. While the exact number of casualties remains unknown, it is confirmed that her commanding officer perished in the attack [56].

Japanese naval personnel had occupied Pratas Island during the war, utilizing it primarily as a weather station and a listening post. However, by May 29, 1945, when a landing party comprising Australian commandos and US naval personnel from the submarine USS Bluegill arrived, the Japanese had already departed. The landing party, proceeding with their impromptu claim, raised the US flag, declared the island a United States territory, and named it Bluegill Island. They then systematically destroyed a radio tower, the weather station, fuel and ammunition dumps, and several buildings, encountering no resistance [57] [58] [59]. A rather thorough tidying-up, one might say, for a territory no one actually intended to keep.

Following the cessation of hostilities, Pratas Island was subsequently restored to Guangdong Province under the administration of the Republic of China (ROC) [60]. On September 12, 1946, the navy of the Republic of China (1912–1949) formally took over the island and established a garrison [1] : 10, 13, 15, 23  [24].

On June 6, 1949, the ROC further solidified its administrative framework by establishing the Hainan Special Administrative District (海南特別行政區), which explicitly included Pratas Island within its purview [24] [25].

In the autumn of 1954, the prominent ROC politician Chiang Ching-kuo undertook a visit to the island, conducting an inspection that underscored its strategic importance, even then [24].

The capricious nature of the sea once again asserted itself on June 9, 1960, during Typhoon Mary (1960) . The Hong Kong cargo ship Shun Lee was violently driven against Pratas Reef and utterly wrecked. Fortunately, its 55 crew members managed to take to their liferafts and were subsequently rescued by the USS Yorktown (CV-10) [61] [62].

Another naval mishap occurred on July 18, 1965, when the USS Frank Knox, while traversing the South China Sea , ran aground on Pratas Reef. It took a protracted and exceptionally difficult salvage operation before the vessel was finally freed on August 24 [63] [64]. The reef, it seems, has a particular knack for ensnaring the unprepared.

On April 13, 1996, the jurisdictional reach of the Taiwan Kaohsiung District Court was formally extended to encompass Tungsha Island (Pratas Island), a rather bureaucratic assertion of sovereignty over a remote rock [23].

In May 1999, Kaohsiung Mayor Frank Hsieh made a point of visiting the island, marking the occasion by hanging an address plate on the island’s fishing service station [65]. This was followed by a visit from ROC President Chen Shui-bian on December 21, 2000, who was accompanied by Mayor Hsieh [66] [20]. President Chen Shui-bian returned to the island on July 28, 2005, this time to inaugurate the Fifth Maritime Patrol Squad of the Coast Guard Administration (Taiwan) [20]. Such visits, one might surmise, are less about genuine interest and more about reinforcing territorial claims with ceremonial pomp.

A significant environmental initiative was undertaken in January 2007, when the ROC government officially designated the Pratas atoll as the Dongsha Atoll National Park , thereby establishing Taiwan’s first marine national park [67]. A rather commendable effort to preserve what others merely squabble over.

On January 8, 2013, an office of Chunghwa Post was established on Pratas Island [68], presumably for the benefit of the stationed military personnel and researchers, as the island lacks permanent residents. One imagines the postman’s route is rather scenic, if lonely.

More recently, the geopolitical tensions surrounding Pratas Island have escalated. In September 2020, the PRC conducted air drills over the waters situated between the main island of Taiwan and Pratas Island. These maneuvers notably intruded into the ROC’s air defense identification zone (ADIZ). The ROC military promptly issued radio warnings, persisting until the intruding aircraft departed [15]. A rather insistent way of reminding everyone of one’s presence.

A particularly telling incident occurred on October 15, 2020. A routine civilian charter flight operated by Uni Air , en route from the main island of Taiwan to Pratas Island, was forced to abort its journey. Hong Kong air traffic controllers informed the aircraft’s captain of “dangerous activities” occurring below 26,000 feet (7,900 meters), effectively denying the Uni Air aircraft entry into the Hong Kong Flight Information Region (FIR). The transcript of the exchange between the pilot and air traffic control was subsequently released by the ROC Civil Aeronautics Administration (Taiwan) [2] [10] [69] [70] [71] [72]. The following day, the ROC Minister of National Defense, Yen Teh-fa , publicly called upon the PRC to refrain from “disrupting the order of international aviation” [73] [74]. On October 20, Deputy Chief of the ROC General Staff, Lieutenant-General Li Ting-sheng (李廷盛), visited Pratas Island to inspect the living facilities of military personnel and provide instructions [75]. Just six days later, on October 26, the same Uni Air aircraft successfully completed the round trip flight between the main island of Taiwan and Pratas Island [76] [77]. A theatrical display of resolve, if nothing else.

The incursions by PRC military aircraft continued unabated. On October 27, 2020, a Y8 PRC military aircraft entered the ROC air defense identification zone (ADIZ) between the main island of Taiwan and Pratas Island for the twenty-first time that month [78]. The very next day, Zhu Fenglian of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the PRC was directly questioned regarding speculation that the PLA might be planning to seize Pratas Island from the ROC, especially in light of military exercises in Fujian and Guangdong . Feng’s response, predictably, was that she did not answer hypothetical questions [79] [80]. On November 2, a formation of eight Chinese PLAAF aircraft breached the ROC ADIZ over a sea area near Pratas Island [81]. Another Y-8 aircraft followed suit on November 3, entering the ADIZ in the same sensitive area [82]. On November 4, the ROC Minister of National Defense, Yen Teh-fa , revealed in a legislative hearing that since January 2020, a staggering 276 PRC military planes had entered the airspace between the main island of Taiwan and Pratas Island. Yen explicitly linked this heightened activity to the PRC’s alleged plans for establishing its own ADIZ in the South China Sea [69] [83]. By December 6, a PRC air force Y-8 plane had again entered the Taiwan ADIZ between the main island of Taiwan and Pratas Island, marking the fifth such incident in December alone [84]. The cosmic tiredness one feels listening to these endless, predictable maneuvers is almost palpable.

Geography

A map illustrating the location of Pratas Island (specifically within (VH)R7) in the South China Sea , produced by the DMA in 1984, provides a clear spatial context. Another map of Tung-sha Tao (Pratas Island) from NAVOCEANO in 1969, and a broader map encompassing Pratas Reef, Pratas Island, and the surrounding region from the International Map of the World (AMS , 1965), along with a NIMA map from 2000 showing Pratas Island (within VHR7), all underscore its isolated yet significant position.

Pratas Island is situated a considerable distance from its administrative center, lying 444 kilometers (276 miles) from the rest of Kaoshiung [65]. It is also approximately 850 kilometers (530 miles) southwest of Taipei , 320 kilometers (200 miles) southeast of Hong Kong [8], and 260 kilometers (160 miles) south of Shantou , Guangdong [31], firmly embedded in the northern reaches of the South China Sea (20°43′N 116°42′E / 20.717°N 116.700°E / 20.717; 116.700). An international team of researchers, in a rather commendable display of scientific collaboration, conducted a comprehensive population genetic analysis of 11 marine species sampled from the island. Their findings indicate that Dongsha Atoll serves as a crucial regional stepping-stone, actively promoting genetic connectivity among the various reefs of the South China Sea . This is because marine larvae, with their inherent wanderlust, can potentially reach a substantial number of reefs across the northern South China Sea from this location [85]. Consequently, the protection of the island and its surrounding reefs by the Taiwanese government, through the establishment of Dongsha Atoll National Park , may yield benefits for the entire region. A rare instance where human intervention might actually be for the better.

The island itself measures 2.8 kilometers (1.7 miles) in length and 0.865 kilometers (0.537 miles) in width, standing as the solitary feature of its group that rises above sea level . Its composition is typical of such formations, consisting of intricate coral atolls and expansive reef flats. While much of the island is adorned with white sand, sections are covered by brush, resilient vines, and various bushes. The flora and fauna that call Pratas Island and its surrounding waters home are diverse, including [citation needed]:

• Silver silk tree
• Tung tree
• Coconut tree
• Little terns
• Turnstones
• Gull-billed terns
• Parrotfish
• Starfish
• Rock lobsters

In April 1867, the Journal of Science featured a detailed, nine-page article titled “The Natural History of Pratas Island in the China Sea,” authored by Dr. Cuthbert Collingwood (naturalist) . Collingwood, serving as the naturalist aboard HMS Serpent, meticulously documented his observations, with a particular focus on the island’s bird life, during a two-day visit while the survey ship lay at anchor. He explored the island extensively on April 30, 1866 [50].

The Vereker Banks (21°N 116°E / 21°N 116°E / 21; 116), located approximately 74 kilometers (46 miles) northwest of Pratas Atoll [86], are entirely submerged [32]. The North Vereker Bank (北衛灘 [87]) rises to a depth of 11 meters (36 feet) below sea level, with the surrounding seabed averaging depths of 60 meters (200 feet) to 90 meters (300 feet). A well head, indicating industrial activity, is situated 30 meters (98 feet) off the North Vereker Bank, at a depth of 4.1 meters (13 feet). A stretch of two to three miles of deep water separates the North Vereker Bank from the South Vereker Bank. The South Vereker Bank (南衛灘 [87]) reaches a lesser depth of 58 meters (190 feet) below sea level. Another well head, found at a depth exceeding 100 meters (330 feet), lies 28 miles (45 kilometers) north of the Vereker Banks at 21°38′N 116°03′E / 21.633°N 116.050°E / 21.633; 116.050. This area is home to the Lu Feng Terminal, comprising an associated production platform and an SPM, enclosed within a restricted zone. The ongoing exploration for oil in this region underscores its economic, and thus geopolitical, significance [14] : 6 .

Beyond these banks, the area is also characterized by several other seamount formations, which are not considered part of the three primary atolls:

• Jianfeng Seamount (尖峰海山) [88]
• Bijia Seamount (芼架海山) [89]
• Beipo Seamount (北波海山) [90]

Climate

The climate data for Pratas Island, as meticulously compiled by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) [91], paints a picture of a tropical maritime environment. The mean daily maximum temperatures consistently hover in the high 20s and low 30s Celsius (70s to 80s Fahrenheit) throughout the year, peaking in the summer months of May through August. The daily mean temperatures follow a similar pattern, indicating a consistently warm climate. Even the mean daily minimums rarely dip below 18°C (65°F), ensuring that Pratas Island remains a perpetually mild locale.

Precipitation, however, is far from uniform. The island experiences a pronounced wet season from June to October, with July, August, and September recording the highest average rainfall, often exceeding 200 millimeters (8 inches) per month. Conversely, the months of January, February, March, April, May, November, and December see significantly less rainfall, with March being particularly dry, registering a mere 14 millimeters (0.6 inches). The total annual precipitation averages a substantial 1,300 millimeters (51.2 inches), confirming its tropical classification. This climatic rhythm, dictating the ebb and flow of moisture, shapes the island’s sparse terrestrial ecology and influences the patterns of its marine life. It’s a testament to nature’s predictable indifference, regardless of human squabbles over ownership.

Politics and government

Pratas Island, despite its remote location and the absence of any long-term inhabitants, falls under the administrative jurisdiction of the Republic of China (Taiwan), specifically assigned the rather mundane postal code 817. Within the ROC’s administrative structure, it is governed by the Kaohsiung City Government as part of Cijin District (Qijin). This arrangement highlights the enduring commitment of the ROC to its territorial claims, even over uninhabited outposts. However, the island’s status is far from settled, as numerous nations, including China and Japan , have historically laid claim to it as their overseas territory. A rather crowded dance floor for such a small island.

Military

As of November 2020 [update], the island’s tranquility is punctuated by the presence of approximately five hundred Taiwanese marines, a rather substantial force for an island of its size [92]. These personnel are not merely stationed above ground; the island is known to possess an extensive network of underground bunkers, suggesting a preparedness for contingencies that extends far beneath the surface. In a significant policy update on December 2, 2020, regulations were amended to grant the highest-ranking local officer the authority to order a counterattack in the event of communication being severed between mainland Taiwan and either Pratas Island or Taiping Island (Itu Aba) [93]. This directive underscores the heightened state of readiness and the inherent risks associated with maintaining sovereignty over such a contested territory. It’s a rather stark reminder that even the most remote outposts are not exempt from the grim calculus of modern geopolitics.

Cross-strait relations

The People’s Republic of China (PRC) steadfastly asserts its claim over the Pratas Islands (东沙群岛), incorporating them, on paper at least, as part of Chengqu , Shanwei (Swabue), Guangdong Province [99] [10] [11] : 10  [12] [13]. This claim forms a persistent irritant in the already fraught cross-strait relationship.

According to an anonymous PLA source, plans drafted around 2010 by China for the establishment of an air defence identification zone in the South China Sea specifically included the airspace above Pratas Island [94]. The PLA ’s increasingly aggressive actions near the southwest corner of the Taiwan ADIZ and Pratas Island in late 2020 fueled widespread speculation that China might imminently declare this area as part of its own ADIZ [83] [95] [96]. Such a move would undoubtedly further complicate regional air traffic and escalate tensions.

The latter half of 2020 was marked by a flurry of reports detailing repeated Chinese military exercises and overflights in the vicinity of Pratas Island. These actions were widely interpreted as a deliberate attempt to test or even sever the supply line connecting Pratas Island with mainland Taiwan [97]. The strategic implication, of course, being that an isolated Pratas Island would be far more vulnerable.

Adding another layer of friction to the maritime domain, the Taiwanese coast guard routinely engages in the expulsion of Chinese fishermen from the waters surrounding Pratas Island. These fishermen are often involved in environmentally destructive fishing practices, including the highly damaging cyanide fishing [98]. It seems even the natural resources of the sea are not spared from the ongoing territorial chess match.

Pratas Island settlement

As an island notably devoid of any permanent inhabitants, Pratas Island experiences a transient population composed primarily of fishermen seeking rich grounds, military personnel fulfilling their duties, and researchers diligently studying its unique ecosystem. Additionally, a select group of amateur radio operators, keen on participating in the DXCC and Islands on the Air awards programs, occasionally make the journey, adding a rather niche form of human presence to its remote shores [99].

Landmarks

An obelisk, a stark vertical statement against the horizon, was erected on the island sometime after 1946 [citation needed]. Its purpose, like many human endeavors, likely to signify something profound, or perhaps, simply to fill empty space.

In 1954, the ROC Government personnel stationed on Pratas chose the southern side of the island, facing the vast expanse of the ocean, to erect a stone tablet. This monument serves as a silent, yet firm, declaration of their presence and claim [100].

The Da Wang temple stands as a spiritual anchor on the island, dedicated to ‘Kuang Kang’ and ‘The South China Sea Goddess’ - Mazu (goddess) . Local lore suggests that the statue of Guan Gong miraculously arrived on Pratas Island via a canoe in 1948. The soldiers stationed there, perhaps seeking solace or divine protection, constructed a temple to worship her in 1975. Today, the very canoe that carried the deity is reverently preserved within the temple. The joss sticks and candles, symbols of devotion, are donated by the soldiers, as is the golden sign prominently displayed in front of the statue. Adjacent to the temple, the ‘Ever Green’ pavilion, also built by the soldiers, offers the most verdant and sheltered spot on the island [100]. A small oasis of faith and greenery in an otherwise austere landscape.

In 1989, the Minister for Internal Affairs of the ROC oversaw the erection of the South China Sea Defense stone tablet, an unequivocal declaration of the Republic of China ’s sovereignty over the territory [100]. Such declarations, etched in stone, are often more about human resolve than geological permanence.

Further solidifying its administrative ties, the Kaohsiung City Government erected the Pratas Island measuring memorial stone tablet in July 1991. This monument unequivocally symbolizes Pratas Island’s inclusion within the jurisdiction of Kaohsiung City [100]. Specifically, within Kaohsiung , the island is designated as part of Cijin District (Qijin).

December 1991 saw the ROC Government establish the Triangulation Benchmark, marking the island’s primary triangulation point. The stone tablet’s base is inscribed with crucial data: ‘The Pratas Triangulation Point’ on its front, and ‘Longitude: 116 o 43" 42.5601’E, Latitude: 20 o 42’ 6.2415’N, Height: 2.4875 meters.’ Additionally, the words ‘Defend the South China Sea ’, attributed to Commander Lo Ben Li, are also engraved. The National Tsing Hua University webpage, in its commentary on the island, articulates the significance: “In addition to making it more convenient to survey and draw navigational maps, and to construct and develop facilities on the island, the establishment of the triangulation point is also the basis of our sovereign rights” [100]. A rather functional assertion of dominion, grounded in cartographic precision.

Public buildings

A hospital, pictured in 2004, stands ready to serve the island’s transient population. One can only imagine the unique challenges of providing medical care in such a remote setting.

The island’s library, located on one side of the main plaza, serves as a vital hub for soldiers seeking educational resources. Stocked with over two thousand books, it offers a crucial intellectual refuge from the isolation and monotony of military duty [100].

The military post office, designated as Office No. 67, plays a small but significant role in connecting the island to the outside world. In 1996, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications issued the ‘South China Sea Islands Map Stamps,’ a set of two stamps commemorating these remote territories. The five-dollar stamp featured the inscription ‘South China Sea Defense’ from the national stone tablet on Pratas Island, while the seventeen-dollar stamp bore the ‘Defend the South China Sea’ inscription from the national stone tablet on Taiping Island . Both stamps showcased a background depicting the south China coastline, Taiwan, and Hainan Island, set against a backdrop of blue sky and sea. This marked a historic first, as it was the initial instance of the ROC issuing stamps with the South China Sea as their central theme [100]. A rather quaint way to assert territorial claims, but effective nonetheless.

In 1987, the combined efforts of military and civilian occupants led to the construction of the ‘Pratas Fishermen’s Service Station.’ Built in the traditional Chinese courtyard house style, this station was designed to provide essential services to fishermen and vessels navigating the South China Sea . Its stated goals include ensuring the safety of fishermen and upholding ROC sovereignty. The services offered are practical and comprehensive, ranging from lodging and medical rescue to entertainment and the provision of supplies. Furthermore, the station extends its hospitality to scientists who venture to the island for research purposes [100]. A pragmatic establishment, serving both humanitarian and strategic ends.

In 2012, National Sun Yat-sen University established its Dongsha Atoll Research Station (DARS) on the island. This facility is dedicated to conducting vital research in biology , biogeochemistry , and oceanography [101]. A rather quiet outpost of scientific endeavor, often overshadowed by the louder pronouncements of territorial claims.

Energy

The island’s power requirements have traditionally been met by diesel-fueled generators, a rather noisy and resource-intensive solution for such a remote location. However, a significant step towards sustainability was taken in March 2016, when a new solar energy system, constructed by the Coast Guard Administration (Taiwan) , commenced operations. This system, covering an area of 310.6 square meters, is projected to produce 53,200 kWh of electricity annually [102]. A small concession to modernity, perhaps, but a welcome one for an island perpetually caught in a tug-of-war.

Transportation

The Dongsha Island Airport dominates the northern end of Pratas Island, featuring a runway and a modest airport terminal situated at its eastern extremity. This facility is primarily utilized by the ROC military , underscoring the island’s strategic importance. A main shack and a subordinate shack are also located on the southeast end of the island, providing additional logistical support. Notably, the airport lacks any refueling facilities, a detail that imposes certain operational constraints.

For smaller watercraft, two piers on the southeast shore offer docking capabilities, facilitating the landing of supplies and personnel.

A rather restrictive aeronautical regulation dictates a prohibited area: a circle with a radius of 10 nmi (19 kilometers) centered on Pratas Island, officially designated as VHR7. The ‘VH’ in VHR7 signifies ‘Hong Kong,’ while the ‘R’ denotes a ‘Restricted Area’ [37]. This is particularly salient given that Pratas Island and its VHR7 exclusion zone are situated within the Hong Kong Flight Information Region (FIR) [2] [10] [103]. This overlapping jurisdiction has, as previously noted, been a source of recent geopolitical friction, highlighting the complex dance of territorial claims and air traffic control in this sensitive region.

Gallery

• Pratas Island Lagoon

• Airport

• Pratas Island Beach

• Southern edge of Pratas Atoll (Pratas Island can be seen in the distance)

See also

• List of islands of Taiwan
• List of Taiwanese superlatives
• Politics of the Republic of China
• South China Sea Islands