China Is Building It's First Air Strip In The Contested South China Sea

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Satellite imagery of runway construction at Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly Islands dated March 23, 2015, by Airbus Defence and Space. Photo: CNES 2015, Distribution Airbus DS/IHS: 1535921

HS Jane's 360: China's first runway in Spratlys under construction

Key Points:

* Satellite imagery shows that China has begun building a runway on reclaimed parts of Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly Islands
* The imagery, provided by Airbus Defence and Space, also shows China building islands on Subi Reef that if linked up would provide enough land for another airstrip

China has begun to build its first airstrip in the Spratly Islands, according to IHS Jane’s analysis of Airbus Defence and Space satellite imagery taken in March.

The 23 March images show a paved section of runway 503 m by 53 m on the northeastern side of Fiery Cross Reef, which China began to turn into an island in late 2014. Paving and ground preparation of other sections of the runway has also begun further along the island. In addition, workers have paved about 400 m by 20 m of apron.

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More News On China Building It's First Air Strip In The Contested South China Sea

Images show China building airstrip on contested reef: report -- Reuters
China Building Airstrip in Spratly Islands, Satellite Images Show -- WSJ
Images Show China Building Aircraft Runway in Disputed Spratly Islands -- NYT
New photo shows China’s first airfield in the world’s most contested archipelago -- Washington Post
China building concrete runway on disputed Spratly Islands -- UPI
China is building its first runway on a disputed island chain in the South China Sea -- Business Insider
Game Changer: China Is Building First Air Strip in Contested Spratly Islands -- Zaharey Keck, National Interest