By Sherry Hsiao / Staff writer, with CNAPratas Island (Dongsha Island, 東沙島) would not be open for tourism for another two to three years, Construction and Planning Agency Chief Secretary Wang Tung-yung (王東永) said yesterday. Transportation and public facilities on the island are not sufficient to accommodate tourists, he told a news conference in Taipei. While the government’s policy has not changed, it must take into consideration the reality of the environmental problem, he added. As the island is far from Taiwan proper — an hour’s flight — it takes time to deliver the materials and equipment needed to build the system, Wang said. The ministry in January said that it planned to conduct a trial this year transporting tourists to the island in three stages via chartered flights.

Source: Taipei Times May 22, 2019 16:04 UTC