Taiwanese government demands Google delete satellite photos of mysterious structures that have sent internet into a frenzy
The curious shapes have appeared off the shore of a fiercely disputed territory in the South China Sea
THE Taiwanese government has asked Google to blur out satellite photos which show mysterious structures which have baffled online users.
The curious Google Earth images show four three-pronged shapes located off the northern shore of Itu Aba island – which is a disputed territory in the South China Sea.
Experts believe the structures are military installations although it is unclear whether they are for defence, attack or surveillance.
As speculation grows, the secretive Taiwan government has petitioned the tech giant to blur the scans citing national security concerns.
The land, also known as Taiping Island, is the subject of fierce international dispute with Taiwan, China, Vietnam and the Philippines all staking a claiming for the territory.
Chen Chung-chi, Taiwan's Defence Ministry and Coastguard, confirmed his country had asked Google to blur the images.
However, he would not reveal the true nature of the mysterious shapes.
He said: "Under the pre-condition of protecting military secrets and security, we requested Google blur images of important military facilities."
And while the California-based search titan said it would consider the censorship, it warned that similar requests had been refused in the past.
Dustin Wang, a former government adviser, says he is certain that Taiwan is building military structures on the disputed island.
He said: "I think it will definitely be for military purposes.
"But I cannot tell if it is for defending, attacking or monitoring."
He said the location of the shapes, which face the main seaborne traffic, suggests they could be sophisticated look-out posts.
China has controversially built military structures near other disputed territories.
And hard-line Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte has insisted the on-going dispute will soon turn violent.
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