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Taiwan Minister Kuan Visits Taiping Island After Seven Years

4/23/2026

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Kuan Bi-ling Visits Taiping

Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling became the first Taiwanese minister to set foot on Taiping island in seven years.
On April 14, 2026, Kuan Bi-ling visited Taiping island while Taiwan’s coast guard conducted armed boarding and humanitarian rescue drills.
Taiwan’s defence ministry dispatched a C-130 transport aircraft to support the exercises.
Taiwan maintains a solar lighthouse, airstrip, pier on Taiping and rejects the 2016 Hague ruling.

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Kuan Bi-ling Drills

Analysts say Itu Aba likely contains significant energy reserves, adding strategic importance to the drills.
Minister Kuan Bi-ling visited Itu Aba, a ministerial trip in years, to conduct humanitarian, medical evacuation and pollution removal drills.
The defence ministry dispatched a C-130 transport aircraft to support the humanitarian and pollution-removal drills.
A 2023-built wharf can berth a 4,000-ton patrol ship, enhancing resupply capability.

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Kuan Bi-ling Visits Taiping

Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling became the first Taiwanese minister to set foot on Taiping island in seven years.
On April 14, 2026, Kuan Bi-ling visited Taiping island while Taiwan’s coast guard conducted armed boarding and humanitarian rescue drills.
Taiwan’s defence ministry dispatched a C-130 transport aircraft to support the exercises.
Taiwan maintains a solar lighthouse, airstrip, pier on Taiping and rejects the 2016 Hague ruling.

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