China building new islands in disputed waters

At Burgos Reef or Gaven Reef

By Katie Hunt, CNN

Updated 1249 GMT (2049 HKT) February 17, 2015

(CNN) China is building a "significant presence" in disputed waters in the South China Sea thorugh land reclamation, new analysis shows.

Satellite images fom late January analyzed by IHS Jane's Defence Weekly show that China
is reclaiming significant amount of land at three sites in the Spratly Islands, in addition to two other sites previously documented by the defense publication.

"Where is used to have a few, smal concrete platforms, it now has full islands with helipads, airstrips, harbors, and facilities to support large number of troops," said James Hardy, Jane's Asia Pacific editor, told CNN.

"We can see that this is a methodical, well-planned campaign to create a chain of air and sea capable fortresses across the center of the Spratly Islands chain."

In November, the publication reported that China was building an "air strip capable" island at least 3, 000 meters long on Fierry Cross Reef.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/17/asia/china-south-china-sea-reclamation/index.html

Satellite imagery from 30 March, 7 August 2014 and 30 January 2015 shows the extent of Chinese progress in building an island at Gaven Reefs in the Spratly Islands.

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Mabini Reef also known as Johnson South Reef

China building artificial island

James Hardy, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

China is attempting to bolster its presence in the South China Sea by creating an artificial island on a reef in the disputed Spratly Islands.

Satellite imagery provided by Airbus Defence and Space corroborates images released by the Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs that shows major land reclamation on Johnson South Reef, which is claimed by Manila as Mabini Reef, as Chigua Reef by China and Gac Ma by Vietnam.

Johnson South Reef was at the centre of a 1998 confrontation between China and Vietnam that left more than 70 Vietnamese personnel dead. After taking control of the reef China built a concrete platform and installed radio and communications equipment.

The images released by the Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs show that since February 2013 there has been extensive dredging of the atoll to create an islet around the platform. Other concrete structures have also been constructed.

The ministry said the construction appeared to be designed to support an airstrip and said it was "destabilising and in violation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DoC) and international law. Mabini Reef is part of the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) which is part of Philippine territory".

http://www.janes.com/article/37973/china-building-artificial-island-in-south-china-sea

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Kagitingan Reef or Fiery Cross Reef

China defends land reclamation in South China Sea - By Associated Press: Nov. 24, 2014

In a recent report, IHS Jane's said satellite images taken in August and November showed that Chinese dredgers had created a land mass almost the entire length of Fiery Cross Reef, which was previously under water. The security group said it is China's largest construction project in the island chain.IHS Jane's said the new island — at least 3,000 meters (9,840 feet) long — could be China's first military airstrip in the Spratly Islands and might be aimed at helping Beijing impose its sovereignty claims over neighboring countries that also claim the territory.

"This facility appears purpose-built to coerce other claimants into relinquishing their claims and possessions, or at least provide China with a much stronger negotiating position if talks over the dispute were ever held," the report said.

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/nov/24/china-defends-land-reclamation-in-south-china-sea/

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Zamora Reef or Subi Reef

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Mischief Reef

YouTube Video of Chinese dredging at Mischief Reef

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THE NEXT TARGET OF CHINA FOR MAKING ARTIFICIAL ISLAND IS OUR

BAJO DE MASINLOC OR SCARBOROUGH SHOAL.

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Selected postings about Kalayaan Islands Group :

Design of China’s Military Base to Be Built on Reef in South China Sea

https://tiananmenstremendousachievements.wordpress.com/2014/05/25/design-of-chinas-military-base-to-be-built-on-reef-in-south-china-sea/

China building artificial island in South China Sea

http://www.janes.com/article/37973/china-building-artificial-island-in-south-china-sea

China builds another island in South China Sea http://www.janes.com/article/43757/china-builds-another-island-in-south-china-sea?utm_campaign=m

SECURING THE SHOALS | What must be done? http://www.interaksyon.com/article/67903/securing-the-shoals--what-must-be-done