Taiwan's Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang visited Taiping Island (also known as Itu Aba Island) in the South China Sea on April 20, 2026, to observe disaster relief drills, according to Taiwanese officials. The visit was the first by a Taiwanese cabinet minister to the island since 2016.
Taiping Island is the largest natural island in the Spratly archipelago and is controlled by Taiwan, though it is also claimed by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei. The drills focused on search and rescue operations, reflecting Taiwan's stated commitment to humanitarian assistance in the region.
China's foreign ministry reiterated its opposition to the visit, stating that Taiwan's activities in the South China Sea are illegitimate. The visit comes amid ongoing tensions in the region, with multiple countries asserting overlapping claims.
