China Building Island - China is reportedly building a massive island in the South China Sea, an area where Beijing is known to be undergoing an intense territorial dispute with neighbouring states. As China is building the island, a US military spokesman recently released information that the structure is massive enough to host an airfield.
The new data released by a leading defense publication Friday suggests that the latest China building island effort could put it in a stronger position as Beijing pursues its claims on the South China Sea.
The data was produced through satellite images. They reportedly showcase the China building island effort on a reef in the disputed Spratly Islands, an island large enough to accommodate possibly the first offshore airstrip in the South China Sea.
The construction is believed to be China converting the disputed territory into military installations, further adding tension to the mineral-rich waters claimed by Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei as well, Reuters reports. Meanwhile, the other Southeast Asian countries mentioned also have airfields in the area already.
The vast land reclamation project, with China building island labors, is on the Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly Islands, says Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Pool.
"It appears that's what they're working toward," the U.S. military spokesman said.
Seen through satellite images from IHS Jane, the said images of China building island showed the construction to be at least 3,000 meters (1.9 miles) long and 200-300 meters (660-980 ft) wide. According to the U.S. military, a harbour is also seen being dug out on the east side of the reef, which appears large enough for tankers and naval warships.
China building island activity on the Fiery Cross Reef comes as U.S. calls for a freeze in provocative activity in the South China Sea. This is currently one of Asia's biggest security issues since growing concern is prevalent about an escalation in disputes. Claimants are now working to establish a code of conduct to resolve said issues.
The recent China building island activity is reportedly the country's fourth in the Spratly Islands in the last 12 to 18 months. It is also considered the largest, according to IHS Jane. The findings were based on satellite images taken on Aug. 8 and Nov. 14.
The Fiery Cross Reef was previously under water and the only habitable area then was a concrete platform built by China's navy. The structure built before the recent China building island activity was home to a Chinese garrison and had a pier, air-defense guns, anti-frogmen defenses, communications equipment, and a greenhouse.
The United States has expressed its want for China to halt construction and for other country governments to forego similar efforts.
"We urge China to stop its land reclamation program, and engage in diplomatic initiatives to encourage all sides to restrain themselves in these sorts of activities," said Pool.
In response, Beijing rejected Washington's call for all parties to halt the China building island effort, saying it can build whatever it wants in the South China Sea.
In August, the deputy head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Boundary and Ocean Affairs Departments reportedly said he was unaware of any China building island activity. According to IHS Jane, the move is aimed at providing China a stronger negotiating position in any case that talks will take place over the dispute.
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