China appears to be constructing an airstrip on a disputed island in the South China Sea, whose ownership is also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan.
New Construction
Satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC analysed by the Associated Press (AP) show that China’s latest maritime construction is happening on Triton Island of the Paracel archipelago. It was first visible in early August.
Although it is a little early to tell, the ongoing construction seems to bear similarities to the construction on seven man-made islands in the Spratly archipelago to the east, all of which have been equipped with airstrips, docks, and military systems. Presently, the work on the disputed island seems somewhat more modest in scale.
#China Is Building A Runway On Its Closest Island Outpost To #Vietnam
— Indo-Pacific News - Geo-Politics & Defense News (@IndoPac_Info) August 16, 2023
Triton is the westernmost island in the #SouthChinaSea’s strategic Paracel archipelago and added militarization of it has big implications.
In just the last few weeks, China has begun to build what appears to… pic.twitter.com/VexSjCjlzn
According to its current layout, the airstrip will be more than 600 metres in length, long enough to accommodate turboprop aircraft and drones, but not fighter jets or bombers.
In addition, the images also show large numbers of vehicle tracks running across much of the island, along with what appear to be containers and construction equipment.
Previously, China had a small harbour and several buildings on the island for years. It also had a helipad and radar arrays. Moreover, a star from the Chinese flag and a hammer and sickle representing the ruling Communist Party can be seen on the island’s two large fields.
Chinese Response
So far, the Chinese government has refused to provide details of its construction work other than that it aims to help global navigation safety. Beijing has also rejected accusations that it is militarising the strategic waterway, through which an estimated $5 trillion in trade passes annually.
China gained full control of the Paracels from Vietnam after a brief naval conflict in 1974.