Land reclamation at Fiery Cross Reef
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New satellite imagery of remote islands in the South China Sea shows island-building projects have continued despite a Chinese assertion in August that construction had halted.
Photos taken as recently as Sept. 8 show extensive construction work on several of the islands, including Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef and Mischief Reef, to build airstrips, helipads, a radar dome and what looks like satellite communication facilities and a surveillance tower.
The United States has called on China to stop land reclamation efforts in the area known as the Spratly Islands.
The images were provided to The Post by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, a watchdog group that monitors territorial claims and events in East Asian waters.
China has been spotted building artificial islands in the South China Sea by dumping massive amounts of sand onto below-sea-level coral reefs.
In China’s view, though, it is merely protecting and making use of its legally owned land. A spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry asserted in a statement that its actions are legal because the reefs “fall within the scope of China’s sovereignty.”
The dispute will raise tensions during the U.S. visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping that begins Sept. 24.
[Chinese activity in South China Sea poses complications for Obama]
The images below show Chinese land reclamation projects at seven locations in the Spratly Islands.
Fiery Cross Reef
With land reclamation complete here, attention has turned to developing facilities on the island. Construction of buildings and the paving of an airstrip are among the activities pictured below. The images also show a naval ship docked on the island.
Subi Reef
This reef has changed dramatically in recent months. The southern, western, and northern edges of the reef have been reclaimed and an access channel to the inner harbor cut out. Dredgers continued to operate here in June. Two cement plants are being built along the western bank.
Mischief Reef
The northern, western and southern landmasses constructed in the early Spring of 2015 have now been connected and are being reinforced with seawalls. Recent widening of the southern entrance to the reef may suggest a future role as a naval base, AMTI says.
Cuarteron Reef
Most construction and dredging took place here in the summer of 2014.
Gaven Reef
Construction at Gaven Reef began in March 2014. The new island measures approximately 300 by 250 meters, with causeways extending from the center.
Johnson South Reef
Facilities here include a small port, two helipads, three possible satellite communication antennae, two possible radar towers, six possible security and surveillance towers for weapons, four possible weapons towers, a lighthouse, a solar farm and two wind turbines, AMTI says.
Hughes Reef
Construction began in the summer of 2014. What was once a 380 square meter concrete platform on stilts has been expanded to a 75,000 square meter island through dredging and reclamation activity.