New installations emerge on islet as China accelerates South China Sea build-up
Analysts say the new structures could support a runway or radar site as China expands its military footprint in the disputed South China Sea.
- Satellite imagery revealed new installations on Yagong, an islet located 14km north-east of Antelope Reef within the Crescent Group in the Paracels of the South China Sea.
- Vantor satellite images from August 17 show an artificial island at Antelope Reef nearly 6km long, with a straight coastline longer than 3km that analysts believe could support a potential runway.
- Singapore-Based security scholar Collin Koh described the Yagong installation as "most likely a radar station," while a Vantor spokesperson noted structures there resemble military early-warning facilities seen elsewhere in the region.
- China has not responded to requests for comment regarding the construction; state media claimed the developments serve civilian needs such as weather forecasting and scientific research, though China has occupied the Paracels since 1974.
- The area is contested by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei, while Vietnam has expanded its own network of bases in The Spratlys in recent years to strengthen its regional position.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Kreiszeitung
tz.deChina has built another artificial, militaryly usable island right in front of the US. A confrontation is expected next month.
China upgrades Antelope Reef
Located in the southwestern Paracel Islands (Xisha Islands, 西沙群島), Antelope Reef (Lingyang Reef, 羚羊礁) holds a significant advantage over China’s outposts in the Spratly Islands (Nansha Islands, 南沙群島) due to its proximity to Hainan and the Chinese mainland. That position makes resupply, reinforcement
The satellite images show month after month the rapid transformation of Yagong Reef, in the Paracel islands of the South China Sea, where new structures appeared between March and August. The area is located only 14 kilometers from the nearby Antelope Reef, where China has just completed the first phase of construction of a large artificial island. According to analysts, the new Yagong installations could be intended for an early warning radar s…
Beijing Adds New Island To Its Largest Military Buildup In South China Sea
China has not acknowledged the construction of a new military base, and state media have said Antelope will meet civilian needs such as weather forecasting, fisheries protection and scientific research.
New installations emerge on islet as China accelerates South China Sea build-up
New installations have been sighted on an islet near Antelope Reef in the Paracels archipelago of the disputed South China Sea where analysts believe China is building its largest military base, according to satellite imagery reviewed
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