China looks to be building an airport on a disputed island in the South China Sea
Analysis of satellite images shows that China seems to be building an airfield on an island in the contested South China Sea. Vietnam and Taiwan have also made claims on the Triton island.
The construction of the Chinese airship on Triton island in the Paracel group, according to an analysis by AP, is similar to the building of seven artificial islands in the Spratly group that have been outfitted with ports, airstrips, and military equipment. During a naval war in 1974, the Chinese captured the Paracel group from Vietnam.
The airport is expected to be around 600 meters long when finished, which will be long enough to accommodate drones and turboprop aircraft but not fighter planes or bombers. Construction of the airstrip first became evident in early August. Along the island, there were several tracks left by vehicles.
China has so far declined to provide specifics on the building of its islands, other than to state that it is intended to increase global navigation safety. Beijing has denied claims that it militarized the canal despite an estimated $5 million in yearly trade passes and said that it is entitled to do as it pleases on its sovereign territory.
On the Triton island, China has long maintained a tiny dock, some structures, a helipad, and radar installations. The Chinese flag’s star and the hammer and sickle emblem of the governing Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are displayed on two sizable areas on the island.
Beijing is in conflict with other claimants because Beijing claims almost the whole South China Sea. Other ships in the disputed waters have often been attacked by the Chinese military. Over territorial claims in the South China Sea, one of the busiest shipping routes on earth, it has fought with the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei.
A rift in the competition between China and the United States has been identified as the issues in the South China Sea. Washington has often criticized Beijing’s aggressive tactics and deployed its warships and fighter planes, along with conducting military exercises with regional allies, in what it says to be in its national interest, although making no claims in the disputed territory.
In the most recent incident in the South China Sea, the Philippine military said that Chinese coast guard warships fired water cannons at Philippine ships close to the Second Thomas Shoal in an effort to prevent local boats from transporting fresh soldiers, water, and gasoline.
