Tensions Between China And Its Neighbors Continues To Grow Over The South China Sea

Map of Spratly Islands detailing occupation by neighboring countries, includes map of coral reefs. Reuters

Reuters: Images show Chinese airstrip on man-made Spratly island nearly finished

China has almost finished building a 3,000-metre-long (10,000-foot) airstrip on one of its artificial islands in the disputed Spratly archipelago of the South China Sea, new satellite photographs of the area show.

A U.S. military commander had told Reuters in May that the airstrip on Fiery Cross Reef could be operational by year-end, although the June 28 images suggest that could now be sooner.

The airstrip will be long enough to accommodate most Chinese military aircraft, security experts have said, giving Beijing greater reach into the heart of maritime Southeast Asia.

More News On The South China Sea Boundary Dispute

See China’s rapid island-building strategy in action -- Washington Post
Photos: See China's rapid island-building -- Washington Post
China Announces Completion of Land Building Project in Nansha Islands -- China Topix
China completes part of land reclamation on disputed Spratlys -- Want China Times
South China Sea Dispute: Beijing Completes Some Of Its Fake Island Reclamation Near Contested Spratly Islands -- IBTimes
Beijing has raised the stakes in the South China Sea -- Business Insider/Reuters
China: "Nothing to hide" on islands, but no peeking! -- CBS
Beijing states its case in South China Sea dispute with Philippines -- Want China Times
China urges Japan to stay away from South China Sea disputes -- Japan Times
China Warns Japan Over Activities In South China Sea -- Value Walk
Japan's Presence in South China Sea Is 'Unacceptable,' China Says -- NBC
Japan’s South China Sea Strategy -- The Diplomat
Beijing urges US urged to take 'objective' view of South China Sea -- Want China Times
Confronting China’s 'New' Military Challenge in the South China Sea -- Prashanth Parameswaran, The Diplomat