Taiwan to boost forces in disputed Spratly Islands
TAIPEI. April 19. KAZINFORM Taiwan says it is to improve the defence capability of its 200 coastguard troops stationed in a disputed area of the South China Sea; Kazinform refers to BBC News.
Some or all of the Spratly Islands and their surrounding waters are claimed by Taiwan, China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.
Troops stationed there will be trained by the Defence Ministry's elite Marine Corps to carry out sea combat.
The move is designed to safeguard Taiwanese territory, officials say.
The Taiwanese coastguard says that from May or June, its troops stationed in the Spratly Islands will be trained to carry out sea combat and the prevention of amphibious attack, including landings by other countries' forces.
This will be the first time since 2000 that Taiwan will have combat-ready troops in the region, considered one of the most dangerous areas in Asia for tensions escalating into armed conflict.
Before 2000, Taiwan had marines stationed in the South China Sea, but a previous administration replaced them with coastguard personnel to reduce tensions; Kazinform cites BBC News.
See www.bbc.co.uk for full vesion