The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), which falls under Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies, reports that satellite images show new Chinese military facilities being built on islands in the contested waters of the South China Sea.
According to their report, missile shelters and radar and communications facilities are currently under construction on Fiery Cross, Mischief, and Subi Reefs in the Spratly Islands.
The United States has repeatedly criticized China’s efforts to build and militarize islands in the heavily trafficked waterway, accusing the Chinese of attempting to enforce their contested claims over the region. The South China Sea is among the most heavily commercial trafficked bodies of water on the planet, with an estimated one-third of global commerce crossing it per year.
The South China Sea is also said to be rich in natural resources, including fish and natural gas, prompting nearly every other nation bordering the sea to lay claims to portions China purports to control, despite being hundreds of miles, in many cases, from Chinese shores.
In order to enforce what the United States refers to as “freedom of navigation” for the international community, the U.S. Navy has sent ships through the region in close proximity to some of China’s islands. Last month, a U.S. Navy vessel traveled to within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef, one of the islands being militarized by the Chinese, in the first act of such defiance since President Trump took office.
Despite satellite images showing their progress in developing military structures on these islands, China has publicly claimed that it is not, nor does it intend to, “militarize” the South China Sea, though they do stand by their claims that envelope nearly its entirety. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam are among the nations with countering claims over portions of the waterway.
Four new missile structures on Fiery Cross Reef are visible in the satellite images, an increase from the eight already reported on the artificial island. The Mischief and Subi have eight missile structures as well. These missile structures are believed to be intended to house long-range surface to air missiles that would be capable of engaging aircraft over the sea.
On Mischief Reef, a large antennae array is also being constructed. AMTI posits this array may be used to more closely monitor traffic throughout the South China Sea. The antennae could be part of either a communications or radar system, but the think tank can’t specify further with any certainty – though a large dome built on Fiery Cross recently would seem to be indicative of a radar array. There are two more domes currently under construction on Mischief Reef.
These installations are likely of particular concern to the Philippines due to Mischief Reef’s close proximity to portions of the waterway claimed by Manila.
It has been reported previously that military air strips are already functioning on some of these artificial islands, as well as barracks buildings that appear to be complete, meaning China can deploy military assets to any of these artificial islands at any point.
In a statement made before the heads of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations earlier this month, American Secretary of Defense, James Mattis, addressed China’s developing military presence in the region.
“We oppose countries militarizing artificial islands and enforcing excessive maritime claims unsupported by international law. We cannot and will not accept unilateral coercive changes to the status quo.”
China launched 18 new warships last year, and recently unveiled their newest destroyer, expected to be able to match American destroyers in the region once fully commissioned.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
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I'm not military, but this seems like an expensive stupid tactic. It reminds me of the Maginot line in France. Having stationary targets will not survive an attack. Once you get a fix on coordinates, you could launch from space, let alone long range missiles. Furthermore, these little islands will be perfect for marines to take on the way in, like they did with Japan. Hasn't the world learned yet?
Here's an article that will only make you angrier, but it is an important view on the China/NK alliance. Although you may have already seen it, I'm posting it for those that may not have. http://freekorea.us/2017/03/15/un-report-finds-extensive-evidence-that-china-hosts-n-koreas-proliferation-networks/#sthash.nxYTucRa.hAOhEgKY.dpbs
Spent lots of time steaming through those areas. What made us think, the past eight years, that China had peaceful intentions? When will folks wake up that a show down with both China and Russia is on the horizon? We have been in a proxy war with Russia since the end of ww2. Made me lmao when, after I retired,USN, i received my Cold War ribbon and was told the Cold War was over ? The should let Patton keep going.
Thanks 6
All interesting, but I don't know how much freedom of movement we really have. Beijing was foot-stomping mad when our ship sailed within 12 nautical miles of their illegally claimed island. Those are international waters, but China is claiming them. They said we were violating Chinese territorial waters and intentionally trying to provoke them. They also said their military will take all necessary measures to safeguard their sovereignty. I think we're OK for a while, China won't spark any conflicts as long as they can continue to claim and militarize islands, but when they have them all built up the way they want them? I doubt they'll allow freedom of navigation at that point, and it will be too late to do anything about it. It's a bad situation, no easy answers. Thanks, 6