Taiwan has reinforced the coast guard garrison defending Taiping island in the disputed Spratly chain in the South China Sea.
Defense minister Chiu Kuo-cheng, a retired general appointed to the post last month, said Taiwan had increased military personnel and material on Taiping, the largest island in the Spratlys.
Taiping is defended by more than 100 coast guard personnel.
Some 1,600 kilometers to the southwest of Taiwan, Taiping is the only outpost Taiwan holds in the Spratlys. Along with Taiwan-held Pratas Island 1,200 kilometers to the north, Taiping provides early detection of a mainland China invasion.
Taiping has a 1,200-meter-long runway capable of accommodating warplanes. The island also has a $108-million port capable of handling deep-draft warships.
"They are capable of starting a war," said Chiu to the Legislative Yuan, Taiwan's unicameral parliament, when asked by a lawmaker if China can attack Taiwan. "My goal is for us to be ready at all times."
Chiu said Taiwan was strengthening defenses on Taiping owing to China's "expansionism."
Chiu told parliament the U.S. had approved the export of technology to equip a new submarine fleet. President Tsai Ing-wen said the fleet was a "historic milestone" for Taiwan. "The construction demonstrates Taiwan's strong will to the world to protect its sovereignty," she said.
