The island is not large, but as it has drinkable fresh water and occupies a strategic position, ROC forces have always maintained a presence there.
太平島和其他南海群島的島嶼相同，也是由珊瑚礁所組成，其範圍雖不大，但因為有食用的淡水，並具要衝地位，所以軍方一直派軍駐守。