China Building Airstrip on Disputed South China Sea Island, Satellite Photos Reveal
BEIJING (AP) — Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press have revealed that China is constructing an airstrip on Triton island in the disputed South China Sea. This island is also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan, adding to the already escalating tensions in the region.
The construction on Triton island, part of the Paracel group, is reminiscent of similar work done on seven other man-made islands in the Spratly group to the east. These islands have been equipped with airstrips, docks, and military systems. However, the construction on Triton appears to be more modest in scale for now.
China has long claimed sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, disregarding the claims of other neighboring countries and rejecting an international ruling that invalidated its assertion. This latest construction project further demonstrates China’s determination to assert its control over the disputed waters.
Satellite photos provided by Planet Labs PBC have shown the construction of the airstrip, which first became visible in early August. The current layout suggests a runway over 600 meters (2,000 feet) in length, capable of accommodating turboprop aircraft and drones, but not fighter jets or bombers.
The photos also reveal a significant number of vehicle tracks across the island, along with what appears to be containers and construction equipment. Triton island, located between Vietnam and China’s island province of Hainan, is one of the major islands in the Paracel group.
The United States has no official stance on the sovereignty claims in the South China Sea. However, it regularly conducts “freedom of navigation operations” near the Chinese-held islands to assert its commitment to international waters. Triton island was the focus of one such mission in 2018.
China has been relatively secretive about its island construction projects, only stating that they are aimed at enhancing global navigation safety. The country has consistently denied accusations of militarizing the region, despite mounting evidence suggesting otherwise. China argues that it has the right to act as it wishes in its own sovereign territory.
The Paracel islands were seized by China from Vietnam following a brief naval conflict in 1974. In addition to the new airstrip, China already has a small harbor, buildings, a helipad, and radar arrays on Triton island. The presence of a Chinese flag and a hammer and sickle representing the ruling Communist Party on two large fields is also noticeable.
The South China Sea is a vital waterway, with an estimated $5 trillion in trade passing through it annually. As tensions continue to rise and China’s assertiveness in the region becomes more pronounced, the construction of the airstrip on Triton island further heightens concerns among neighboring countries and the international community.
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Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell contributed to this report from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.