EVS-Islands: Pai-Ch'uan Lieh-Tao TW - Focus of a Superpower Struggle

Pai-Ch'uan Lieh-Tao

Baiquan Liedao (Pai-ch'uan Lieh-tao) (25°58'N., 119°55'E.), lying about 11 miles S of Matsu Liehtao, consists of two islands and several islets and rocks.

Dongquan Dao (Tung-chu Tao) (25°58'N., 119°58'E.), the E island of the group, is 114m high and precipitous; islets and dangers lie within 0.75 mile NW and 1 mile NE of the island.

A light is shown from a round tower on the NE end of the island and a signal operates from the tower.

Xiquan Dao (Hsi-chu Tao) (25°59'N., 119°56'E.), the W island of the group, is 191m high. Its summit consists of three rounded hummocks, on the center and highest of which is a boulder; the SW slopes of the ridge are strewn with sand and show white in misty weather when little else of the island is visible.

P'o-lang Shih, 16m high, lies at the outer end of a rocky ridge which extends 0.5 mile SW from the W point of the island; this rock and a 13m high rock on the ridge are prominent. Sand banks, with charted depths of 5.4 to 10m, extend up to 4 miles SW of Hsi-chu Tao.

Caution.—A prohibited area, which may be fouled by fishing stakes, lies about 4 miles SE of Tung-chu Tao. (SD Pub-157)

I said to myself, "Avoid controversial islands. Select an island of little or no consequence." So what did I do? I selected a group of islands located off of the eastern coast of China which are claimed by the Republic of China (ROC). The actual map work was straight forward and the map product was simple and fast to construct. But I failed on the controversial islands aspect of the project. This group of islands is located to the south of Matsu Island, another island claimed by the ROC. These small rocks are continually contested for ownership between PRC and ROC. So far ROC has control and the PRC, although formally complaining, abides by the status-quo. They are potential flashpoints. They would be an interesting destination for an intrepid traveller.

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