Dongsha, Pratas Islands, Republic of China
May 23, 2025 Not much has changed recently.
We previously added analysis of Copernicus Browser imagery from Sentinel-2 L2A.
Dongsha Island, Taiwan
Dongsha Island, a.k.a., Dongsha Qundao (PRC), East Sand Islands, Pratas Island on Pratas Atoll (round like a silver plate). It is also called Tung-sha Tao or Tung-sha Island. Copernicus Browser, or eESA, called this Vereker Atoll, and labels Northern Vereker Atoll and Southern Vereker Atoll, with the Pratas Island, or Dongsha Island also labeled.
We see a man-made, well developed island on the Pratas Reef that is currently inhabited by Republic of China Marines, and workers for the various marine research, a weather station, and administrative facilities. It is administered out of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Pratas Reef is a circular coral atoll 14.8 miles in diameter, and the depth of the lagoon within the reef is up to 16 meters. The lagoon is labeled a special scenic area. The west of the reef is submerged and very dangerous for navigation while the north, south and east are steep and visible. This is a fairly dangerous island to approach by ship, especially during rough seas. According to the U.S NGA Sailing Directions (Publication 161) 2020, pages 4,5, it constitutes a danger to vessels transiting the Taiwan Strait.
Thank you Wikipedia for the names.
We previously added analysis of Copernicus Browser imagery from Sentinel-2 L2A.
Dongsha Island, Taiwan
Dongsha Island, a.k.a., Dongsha Qundao (PRC), East Sand Islands, Pratas Island on Pratas Atoll (round like a silver plate). It is also called Tung-sha Tao or Tung-sha Island. Copernicus Browser, or eESA, called this Vereker Atoll, and labels Northern Vereker Atoll and Southern Vereker Atoll, with the Pratas Island, or Dongsha Island also labeled.
We see a man-made, well developed island on the Pratas Reef that is currently inhabited by Republic of China Marines, and workers for the various marine research, a weather station, and administrative facilities. It is administered out of Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Pratas Reef is a circular coral atoll 14.8 miles in diameter, and the depth of the lagoon within the reef is up to 16 meters. The lagoon is labeled a special scenic area. The west of the reef is submerged and very dangerous for navigation while the north, south and east are steep and visible. This is a fairly dangerous island to approach by ship, especially during rough seas. According to the U.S NGA Sailing Directions (Publication 161) 2020, pages 4,5, it constitutes a danger to vessels transiting the Taiwan Strait.
Thank you Wikipedia for the names.
The Dongsha management station on Pratas Island is located 153 miles South by Southeast of China and 262 miles Southwest of Taiwan. This is a very lush, green island with over half the area of the island containing a protected bay or lagoon.
We see a significant airport, with a 0.93 mile long runway, and a tarmac where one plane was parked when the satellite imagery was taken. We see many buildings, athletic facilities, and many circular man-made installations, potentially cannons and anti-aircraft artillery, located around the island. We do not see any radomes.
The Dongsha island is located here: 20°42'11"N 116°43’24”E, at the 9:30 position (about 280 degrees) in the round Pratas Islands formation. Satellite imagery: 4/23/2023.
The map of the island shows marine research labs, marine management stations, and a significant Dongsha airport. We understand there are numerous oil wells nearby including the Huizhou Offshore Oil Terminal.
We see a significant airport, with a 0.93 mile long runway, and a tarmac where one plane was parked when the satellite imagery was taken. We see many buildings, athletic facilities, and many circular man-made installations, potentially cannons and anti-aircraft artillery, located around the island. We do not see any radomes.
The Dongsha island is located here: 20°42'11"N 116°43’24”E, at the 9:30 position (about 280 degrees) in the round Pratas Islands formation. Satellite imagery: 4/23/2023.
The map of the island shows marine research labs, marine management stations, and a significant Dongsha airport. We understand there are numerous oil wells nearby including the Huizhou Offshore Oil Terminal.
Measuring Pratas Island with Sentinel-2 data, it has a radius from tip to tail of 2.72 km.
Copernicus Browser, Sentinel-2 L2A, dated 8/25/2024, False Color to show man-made developments or anomalies. The overall Atoll is pristine, with a management island at the 9:30 or 280 degree area.
Dongsha Island, True Color, Sentinel-2 L2A as of 8/25/2024.
Copernicus Browser Sentinel-2, The Vereker Atoll, and the PRatas Island / Dongsha Island still looks like a large dinner place. 05-18-2025 True Color 1KM resolution.
Dongsha Atoll, Google Earth 4/23/2023
Dongsha Island, Dongsha Atoll, Google Earth 4/23/2023
Area
Name 1
Nearest Land
Distance from Land (miles)
Location (latitude & longitude)
Diameter (miles)
Date of Satellite Imagery
Airport Present?
Helipad Present?
Port / Dock Facility Present?
Buildings Present?
Defensive Infrastructure Present?
Athletic Facilities Present?
Hospital Present?
Sand Only Island?
Dredging Infrastructure Only?
Western South China Sea (closest to China)
Dongsha Island, Pratas Islands
China
153
20°42'11"N 116°43’24”E
1.7
1/15/2022
Yes
Not Sure
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Not Sure
No
No
Name 1
Nearest Land
Distance from Land (miles)
Location (latitude & longitude)
Diameter (miles)
Date of Satellite Imagery
Airport Present?
Helipad Present?
Port / Dock Facility Present?
Buildings Present?
Defensive Infrastructure Present?
Athletic Facilities Present?
Hospital Present?
Sand Only Island?
Dredging Infrastructure Only?
Western South China Sea (closest to China)
Dongsha Island, Pratas Islands
China
153
20°42'11"N 116°43’24”E
1.7
1/15/2022
Yes
Not Sure
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Not Sure
No
No