China's massive reclamation process on Fiery Cross Reef 0
Satellite images released on March 23 show that China is blatantly increasing the construction of the first runway on Fiery Cross Reef in Vietnam’s Truong Sa archipelago and may open a second runway.
According to the assessment of military magazine IHS Janes, this is an important step for Beijing to realize its unjustified claim of sovereignty over the islands and archipelagos in the East Sea.
In 2005, China only built a small military outpost on Fiery Cross Reef.
Satellite images released on March 23 show that China is blatantly increasing the construction of the first runway on Fiery Cross Reef in Vietnam’s Truong Sa archipelago and may open a second runway.
According to the assessment of military magazine IHS Janes, this is an important step for Beijing to realize its unjustified claim of sovereignty over the islands and archipelagos in the East Sea.
In 2005, China only built a small military outpost on Fiery Cross Reef.
InterAksyon news website predicts that China is gradually turning the initial small outpost on Fiery Cross Reef into its main military base to increase its influence in the region.
InterAksyon news website predicts that China is gradually turning the initial small outpost on Fiery Cross Reef into its main military base to increase its influence in the region.
Images released by Airbus Defense and Space in November 2014 show that China is accelerating the pace of construction, land reclamation and expanding the area on Fiery Cross Reef.
Images released by Airbus Defense and Space in November 2014 show that China is accelerating the pace of construction, land reclamation and expanding the area on Fiery Cross Reef.
From an outpost of just over 1,000 m2, the area of land that China reclaimed on Fiery Cross Reef has now reached 900,000 m2, with a length of 3,000 m and a width of 300 m.
From an outpost of just over 1,000 m2, the area of land that China reclaimed on Fiery Cross Reef has now reached 900,000 m2, with a length of 3,000 m and a width of 300 m.
This area is large enough for Beijing to build an airstrip and many other works for military and civil purposes.
This area is large enough for Beijing to build an airstrip and many other works for military and civil purposes.
Images released in January showed 14 cargo ships and many Chinese dredgers operating at the harbor under construction on Fiery Cross Reef.
Images released in January showed 14 cargo ships and many Chinese dredgers operating at the harbor under construction on Fiery Cross Reef.
Satellite images from March 23 by Airbus Defense and Space show that a runway about 53 meters long has been paved northeast of Fiery Cross Reef.
Satellite images from March 23 by Airbus Defense and Space show that a runway about 53 meters long has been paved northeast of Fiery Cross Reef.
IHS Janes believes that the runway on Fiery Cross Reef could be about 3,000 meters long.
IHS Janes believes that the runway on Fiery Cross Reef could be about 3,000 meters long.
In addition to accelerating land reclamation activities on Fiery Cross Reef and six other rocks in the Truong Sa archipelago, China is also aggressively expanding the two islands of Phu Lam and Quang Hoa in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago.
In addition to accelerating land reclamation activities on Fiery Cross Reef and six other rocks in the Truong Sa archipelago, China is also aggressively expanding the two islands of Phu Lam and Quang Hoa in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago.
According to satellite images, the area of Quang Hoa Island, 80 km southwest of Phu Lam Island, has also increased by 50% compared to April 2014.
Vietnam has repeatedly protested China’s construction and expansion of works on beaches and rocks and changing the status quo in the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa archipelagos, and emphasized that Vietnam has full legal basis.
According to satellite images, the area of Quang Hoa Island, 80 km southwest of Phu Lam Island, has also increased by 50% compared to April 2014.
Vietnam has repeatedly protested China’s construction and expansion of works on beaches and rocks and changing the status quo in the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa archipelagos, and emphasized that Vietnam has full legal basis.
Vu Hoang (compilation)
