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South China Sea: Taiwan stakes its claim

Updated 0652 GMT (1452 HKT) March 25, 2016

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One of the tiny islands that speckle the azure waters of the South China. Taiping, also known as Itu Aba, is part of the hotly-contested Spratly Archipelago, a sprawling collection of reefs and atolls claimed by several different countries. Photographed from the window of a Taiwan C-130 military plane March 23, 2014
Photos: South China Sea: Taiwan stakes its claim
One of the tiny islands that speckle the azure waters of the South China. Taiping, also known as Itu Aba, is part of the hotly-contested Spratly Archipelago, a sprawling collection of reefs and atolls claimed by several different countries. Photographed from the window of a Taiwan C-130 military plane March 23, 2014
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Uniformed Taiwan troops posed with rifles for journalists arriving on Taiping Island aboard a military C130 cargo plane March 23, 2016. Outgoing Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou says he wants to transform Taiping into "an island for peace and rescue operations."
Photos: South China Sea: Taiwan stakes its claim
Uniformed Taiwan troops posed with rifles for journalists arriving on Taiping Island aboard a military C130 cargo plane March 23, 2016. Outgoing Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou says he wants to transform Taiping into "an island for peace and rescue operations."
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One of the military bunkers and anti-aircraft batteries defending Taiping Island. The tiny island is only .51 square kilometers in size. Officials say they replaced the Marines who used to defend this island with coast guard personnel more than a decade ago.
Photos: South China Sea: Taiwan stakes its claim
One of the military bunkers and anti-aircraft batteries defending Taiping Island. The tiny island is only .51 square kilometers in size. Officials say they replaced the Marines who used to defend this island with coast guard personnel more than a decade ago.
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During the first ever visit for journalists to Taiping Island, officials also showed off vegetable gardens, fresh water wells, a chicken coop and a pen full of goats.
Photos: South China Sea: Taiwan stakes its claim
During the first ever visit for journalists to Taiping Island, officials also showed off vegetable gardens, fresh water wells, a chicken coop and a pen full of goats.
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The post office on Taiping Island.
Photos: South China Sea: Taiwan stakes its claim
The post office on Taiping Island.
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A lighthouse on Taiping Island, also known as Itu Aba, in the South China Sea.
Photos: South China Sea: Taiwan stakes its claim
A lighthouse on Taiping Island, also known as Itu Aba, in the South China Sea.
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A solar-powered street lamp on Taiping Island.
Photos: South China Sea: Taiwan stakes its claim
A solar-powered street lamp on Taiping Island.
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Taiwan claims to have continuously occupied this postage stamp-sized island in the azure waters of the South China Sea for 60 years. But it wasn't until this week, that the government invited journalists to see the tiny place first hand.
Taiping Island, also known as Itu Aba, consists of little more than a 1,360 meter long airstrip bordered on two sides by a palm trees and white sandy beaches. But that is enough for Taiwan to make its case in the growing struggle for control of this hotly disputed body of water -- where $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes through annually.