Construction is shown on Mischief Reef, in the Spratly Islands, the disputed South China Sea in this June 19, 2017 satellite image released by CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) to Reuters on June 29, 2017. MANDATORY CREDIT CSIS/AMTI DigitalGlobe/Handout via REUTERS
Reuters: China builds new military facilities on South China Sea islands: think tank
China has built new military facilities on islands in the South China Sea, a U.S. think tank reported on Thursday, a move that could raise tensions with Washington, which has accused Beijing of militarizing the vital waterway.
The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), part of Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies, said new satellite images show missile shelters and radar and communications facilities being built on the Fiery Cross, Mischief and Subi Reefs in the Spratly Islands.
The United States has criticized China's build-up of military facilities on the artificial islands and is concerned they could be used to restrict free movement through the South China Sea, an important trade route.
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Update: China builds new missile shelters on South China Sea islands (Financial Times)
WNU Editor: Yup .... the U.S. and its allies in the region need a better strategy .... South China Sea: America needs a better strategy (The Straits Times).
2 comments:
I am shocked.
Don't know if it makes any difference to the West but it sure scares the East. Just a tiny little island today. Tomorrow?
It's all about a secure trade route for the oil China needs. Someone will lose if ever the Malaccan Straits are shut down again. That concerns the Chinese government so much they built the pipeline thru Myanmar causing the Rohyingan crisis. So they have that back up but it is just one pipeline and it doesn't serve the eastern China metropolises. If I were them I would build twenty islands since there has been no retaliation. Modern aircraft carriers. Do a much better job policing the sea. As long as they stay afloat.
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