15China has built a giant artificial island on the disputed Antelope Reef in the South China Sea, raising new concerns over Beijing’s growing military presence in the region. According to a report by Firstpost, citing an analysis of satellite images by Reuters, China has built a port, runway, jetty and helipad on this reclaimed island.
This development may provide China another strategic location for military operations. This could also strengthen Beijing’s position in any future conflict involving Taiwan and its allies.
Infrastructure being built on Antelope Reef
This artificial island is about 6 kilometers long. It also has a straight stretch of about 3 kilometres, which analysts believe could be used as an airport. An airport of this length will be suitable for most fighter aircraft and military transport aircraft. A 680 meter long jetty has also been built along the edge of a deep water port. In satellite images, a Chinese Coast Guard ship was seen parked at the facility. A satellite image dated July 19 also showed a helicopter pad in the south-eastern part of the island. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has separately reported that construction of a second runway may begin.
These facilities have been built for civilian purposes: China
China has said that this new structure will be used for weather forecasting and scientific research. However, analysts are cautious about this stated objective. China has previously used research projects in disputed waters, as well as conducted activities that have raised security concerns. Reuters reported that the first phase of construction at Antelope Reef has already been completed. Analysts believe the site could eventually become part of a larger Chinese military base.
This infrastructure is also considered “dual-use”. This means that it can serve civilian purposes, but can also be quickly adapted for military operations.
Why is Antelope Reef important to Taiwan?
Antelope Reef is part of the Paracel Islands located in the northern South China Sea. China has controlled the Paracel Islands since the 1970s, but Vietnam also claims the archipelago. The vast area of the South China Sea remains one of the largest territorial dispute areas in Asia. China claims large parts of the region and has disputes with Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. The vast area of the South China Sea remains one of the largest territorial dispute areas in Asia. China claims large parts of the region and has disputes with Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia.
Can China deploy bomber aircraft and submarines here?
Analyst Colin Koh told Reuters that these new features could support mass surveillance systems. These may also cause difficulties in American and Vietnamese submarine operations. This location could be especially useful for China’s H-6 strategic bombers. Antelope Reef is closer to mainland China than the sites of the Spratly Islands. China already has military bases nearby. Fighter aircraft and surface-to-air missiles are deployed on Woody Island, located about 100 kilometers away. There are also long range surveillance systems on Triton Island. Therefore, the latest construction on Antelope Reef could add another important link in China’s growing network of strategic outposts in the South China Sea.