South China Morning Post 
Date: Aug 5, 2020
By: Lawrence Chung

The Pratas Islands, known as the Dongsha Islands in Chinese, seen here in July 2008, are small islands under Taiwan (ROC) control and administration since the end of World War II. 

• A Taiwanese military source said a 200-strong force has been sent to the Pratas Islands following reports the Chinese military was planning a large-scale simulated invasion.
   
• Mainland China has been steadily boosting its presence in the disputed waters of the South China Sea, where a number of other countries have claims.
   
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Taiwan's military has sent a marine company to reinforce the garrison on a small outpost in the South China Sea amid reports that the People's Liberation Army was planning a simulated attack on the islets.

A military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the navy had sent a company of around 200 marines to reinforce the coastguards stationed on the Pratas Islands, which are known as the Dongsha Islands in Chinese.

"The marines left for the Pratas about a week ago and will remain there on a short-term rather than a long-term basis," the source said, adding the posting was in line with the military's off-site training operations.

In May, Japan's Kyodo News reported that the PLA was planning to conduct a large-scale training exercise on Hainan island this month, which would include a simulated takeover of the Taiwanese-controlled islets.    [FULL  STORY]