At 1.4 kilometers (0.8 miles) in length and 0.4 kilometers in width, Taiping Island is the largest in the Spratly archipelago and one of two islands controlled by Taiwan in the South China Sea. The island sits at the center of the South China Sea basin, 1,600 kilometers from Taiwan, 800 kilometers from mainland China's Hainan province, 600 kilometers from Vietnam and 500 kilometers from the Philippines' westernmost island of Palawan. As a junction to surrounded islets and reefs, Taiping Island is important for securing sea lanes and establishing any country's presence in the South China Sea. Due to its strategic location and resources (Taiping possesses ample fisheries and is the only island in the Spratlys with an indigenous supply of fresh water), the island has served as an important logistic base. Historically, it has been competed over and claimed by nearby countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, mainland China and Taiwan. Following World War II, the nationalist Kuomintang government in China took control of the island from Japan. After the Chinese Civil War (1947-1949) resulted in the Communist takeover of mainland China and the nationalist retreat to Taiwan, Taiping Island remained under nationalist control. As part of the effort to strengthen its presence on the island, Taipei has built a 1,200-meter-long airstrip, a port, an antenna tower on the island and a number of logistic and communication facilities. Despite its efforts to secure the island, Taiwan is still at a disadvantage because Vietnam and the Philippines are geographically much closer to Taiping. In addition, the island lacks a sufficient Taiwanese military garrison; Taiwan withdrew marines in 1999 due to budget constraints and currently has around 100 coast guard personnel on the island with four coast guard ships patrolling it. This lack of defensive capabilities has made the island vulnerable to potential incursions from neighboring countries, particularly amid the present competition for influence in the South China Sea.
