Taipei: Taiwan has stepped up its presence in the South China Sea as its ocean affairs minister confirmed a visit to a second small island in the disputed waters, a move that has drawn attention in a region already marked by competing claims.

Minister Kuan Bi ling said she travelled to Zhongzhou Reef after visiting Itu Aba, also known as Taiping Island, which is the largest feature controlled by Taiwan in the Spratly Islands. During the visit, she took part in environmental activities such as a beach cleanup and observed humanitarian and coast guard drills on the island.

The minister described the visit as part of efforts to support personnel stationed on the remote outposts and to highlight Taiwan’s role in environmental protection and emergency response. Officials said the activities were not meant to raise tensions but to show practical engagement in the area.

The South China Sea remains one of the most contested regions in the world, with Taiwan, China and Vietnam among those claiming parts of it. Taiwan controls only a few features, including Itu Aba and Zhongzhou Reef, making such visits politically sensitive.

Vietnam protested the visit, but Taiwan said the reaction was not stronger than previous responses and did not expect the situation to escalate. The government in Taipei has often stressed that its actions in the region are peaceful and focused on stability.

Itu Aba has basic infrastructure including a runway and a wharf for patrol vessels, though Taiwan’s facilities are far less developed than those built by China on artificial islands in the same sea.

The visit comes at a time of rising concern over military activity and diplomatic tensions in the South China Sea. Despite this, Taiwan appears to be taking a cautious approach by maintaining its presence while avoiding direct confrontation.

The latest visit is seen as a signal that Taiwan intends to continue asserting its claims, even as it tries to keep the situation calm in one of the world’s most sensitive maritime regions.