The Diplomat: Vietnam Protests as China Lands Civilian Aircraft on Newly Constructed Spratly Airstrip
The Vietnamese foreign ministry described the move as a “serious infringement” of its sovereignty.
The status of China’s artificial islands in the disputed Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea hit a new milestone on Saturday. China landed a civilian aircraft on Fiery Cross Reef, drawing a sharp reaction from the Vietnamese government. Le Hai Binh, a spokesperson for the Vietnamese foreign ministry, said that a Chinese aircraft had landed on the 3000 meter airstrip on Fiery Cross Reef. He added that the strip had been “built illegally on Fiery Cross Reef, which is part of Vietnam’s Spratlys.” Vietnam, along with China, Taiwan, and Malaysia, claims Fiery Cross Reef, which has seen extensive land reclamation and construction work since last year. China has occupied the reef since 1988.
Update #1: Vietnam protests after China lands plane on disputed Spratlys -- Reuters
Update #2: China Lands Test Flight in Disputed Island Chain (WSJ).
WNU Editor: China is not impressed .... China Rejects Vietnam Protest Over Sea Flight Test (AP)
1 comment:
What's fair for the goose....
Vietnam began construction of its airstrip on Spratly Island in 1976, making this the first runway in the Spratly island group. In 1978, the Philippines incorporated Thitu Island after airstrip construction had already begun. In 1983, Malaysia built a resort and airstrip atop Swallow Reef. The Nationalist Chinese government occupied Itu Aba in 1946, but did not begin constructing its airstrip until 2006, and construction finished in 2008. China is the most recent Spratly claimant to build an airstrip, which it began on Fiery Cross Reef in late 2014 after it reclaimed the former low-lying feature.
Vietnam’s Spratly Island airstrip is 550 meters long. The Philippines’ runway on Thitu Island is 1,000 meters long and unpaved. Malaysia’s Swallow Reef airstrip is 1,368 meters long. Taiwan’s recently-renovated runway is 1,195 meters long. China’s Fiery Cross airstrip measures 3,000 meters. -- here
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