Mavulis Island may appear to be a seemingly insignificant speck on the vast blue map of the region, but it may be the linchpin of the defense of Taiwan.
What is more, the Bashi Channel that lies between Mavulis Island and Taiwan’s Orchid Island will likely be utilized as a primary route for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to blockade the island and isolate it from US and allied forces. In short, Mavulis Island could be a key terrain in any Taiwan conflict scenario.
https://mwi.westpoint.edu/a-war-of-chokepoints-mavulis-island-in-a-future-taiwan-war-scenario/
(from north-west to south-east)
South Korea
Japan
Taiwan
Philippines
Indonesia
Malaysia
Vietnam
Doesn't give their blue-water navy much maneuver room.