A US think tank says China appears to have put anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems on islands in the South China Sea. The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative says it's been tracking satellite images since June.
Image: Reuters/ARMS Courtesy CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative/DigitalGlobe
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China: Satellite images 'show weapons' on disputed islands
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Chinese weapon systems have been built on all seven of the artificial islands that China has reclaimed in a disputed area of the South China Sea, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) said on Wednesday.
AMTI said it began tracking the construction of identical, hexagon-shaped structures on the several reefs that make up the Spratly islands over the summer. The islands are disputed by China and several of its Southeast Asian neighbors.
The think tank's report coincided with comments on Wednesday by the US' Pacific military commander Admiral Harry Harris, who warned that Washington would continue to challenge Beijing's "assertive, aggressive behavior in the South China Sea."
Satellite imagery appears to show the new structures are similar to other point-defense fortifications built on four of the smaller islands, AMTI said.
AMTI said the facilities hold what are most likely anti-aircraft guns or close-in weapons to protect against cruise missile strikes. China has already built military length airstrips on these islands.
Structures hidden from view
AMTI said covers had been installed on the towers on one island, but the size of the structures suggested they concealed defense systems similar to those at the smaller reefs.
A satellite image appears to show anti-aircraft guns and close-in weapons systems on the Johnson Reef artificial islandImage: Reuters/ARMS Courtesy CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative/DigitalGlobe
"These gun and probable CIWS (close-in weapon system) emplacements show that Beijing is serious about defense of its artificial islands in case of an armed contingency in the South China Sea," the report said.
Beijing has repeatedly insisted that it has no intention to militarize the islands in the strategic trade route.
In an interview with the Reuters news agency, AMTI director Greg Poling said the think tank had spent considerable time studying the structures being built.
Images contradict official line
"This is the first time that we're confident in saying they are anti-aircraft and CIWS emplacements. We did not know that they had systems this big and this advanced there," he said.
"This is militarization. The Chinese can argue that it's only for defensive purposes, but if you are building giant anti-aircraft gun and CIWS emplacements, it means that you are prepping for a future conflict.
China is planning to deploy mobile surface-to-air missile platforms to an island further north in the South China Sea, the report said, adding that the new installations on Spratly would provide backup for that system.
Washington has accused China of militarizing its maritime outposts. The US navy has provoked China's ire by conducting air and naval patrols near the facilities on several occasions.
Also on Wednesday, Admiral Harry Harris, head of the US Pacific Command, told an audience to a think tank event in Australia that Washington would not accept Chinese control of the region.
His remarks came after Beijing reacted angrily after US President-elect Donald Trump broke convention by speaking directly to Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen.
Change of policy
Trump has even suggested Washington could jettison Washington's decades-old "One China policy," which allows the US to do business with both China and Taiwan while only recognizing Beijing diplomatically.
"We will not allow the shared domains to be closed down unilaterally, no matter how many bases are built on artificial features in the South China Sea," Harris said, appearing to reference the AMTI report.
A UN-backed tribunal ruled in July in a case brought by the Philippines that any extensive claims to the sea had no legal basis and that China's construction of artificial islands in disputed waters was illegal.
As well as China, Malaysia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei claim part of the area of tiny islands, islets and reefs spread over more than 425,000 square kilometers (164,000 square miles) of sea.
Beijing's island-building in the South China Sea
Satellite images show the extent and speed of China's land reclamation activities in disputed waters of the South China Sea. The new land masses are believed to be primarily military installations.
Image: CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative/DigitalGlobe
Runway
China is expanding the construction of its facilities on Fiery Cross Reef. Provided by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), this June 28, 2015 photo reveals Beijing has nearly completed a 3,000 meter (9,800-foot) airstrip, long enough to accommodate most Chinese military aircraft. Two helipads, up to 10 satellite communications antennas, and one possible radar tower are also visible.
Image: CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative/DigitalGlobe
Expansion
Reclamation on Fiery Cross Reef, which lies on the west side of the Spratly Islands, began in August of 2014 and its principal landmass was finished by November. Dredgers have created a land mass that spans the entire existing reef and is approximately 3,000 meters long and 200-300 meters wide.
Image: Reuters//U.S. Navy
Facilities
This picture taken last November shows construction work being carried out on Fiery Cross Reef. The reef reportedly already houses a helicopter landing pad, a 300-meter-long wharf, a harbor large enough to dock military tankers, barracks and artillery emplacements.
Image: CSIS, IHS Jane's
South Johnson Reef
This reef was one of the first facilities to finish principal land reclamation. This recent picture shows that a radar tower is nearing completion at the north end of the land mass. According to AMTI, a new large multi-level military facility has been built in the center of the island. Up to six surveillance towers are being constructed alongside four possible weapons towers.
Image: Asia Maritime Transparency Iniative
A naval base?
Beginning in early 2015, Mischief Reef - also located in the Spratlys - has undergone extensive reclamation activity. Experts say that the recent widening of the southern entrance to the reef, coupled with sightings of Chinese navy vessels, may suggest a future role for the reclaimed reef as a naval base. Taken on March 17, this image shows a chain of small land formations at the reef.
Image: CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative/DigitalGlobe
From reef to island
Significant construction on Gaven Reef began in 2014, with a total of 114,000 square meters of land already created. Satellite pictures show just how fast construction has progressed on the reef. A new artificial island was created between March (left) and August (right) 2014.
According to AMTI, China has had a troop garrison on Gaven Reef since 2003, which has included a large supply platform where ships can dock. Experts say a new main square building in the reef appears to be an anti-aircraft tower.
Image: AMTI
A standardized process
As seen in this image, the basic process of expanding these features involves dredging sand from the seafloor and dumping it onto the reefs. The structure is raised above the high water line, hiding the status of the bank or reef beneath. The sand is then smoothed out and workers surround the island with a concrete barrier to protect against erosion and storm surge, and begin construction.
Image: CSIS
'Historic rights'
China claims most of the potentially energy-rich waterway, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. The US Pacific Fleet commander recently said China was "creating a great wall of sand" in the South China Sea, causing serious concerns about its territorial intentions. Beijing argues it is asserting its so-called "historic rights" to maritime resources in the area.
Image: DW
Territorial disputes
The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have overlapping claims, which have led to territorial disputes in the area. Last summer, China's deployment of a massive oil rig in waters also claimed by Hanoi escalated tensions in the region, sparking a standoff at sea and violent anti-Chinese demonstrations in Vietnam.
Image: picture alliance/AP Photo
US concerns
Washington is concerned China's efforts carry a military dimension that could undermine the US' naval and economic power in the Pacific, and has weighed sending warships and surveillance aircraft within 12 nautical miles of the new artificial islands. Washington has repeatedly called on Beijing and others to end reclamation projects in the disputed waters, but Beijing rejects those demands.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/M. Abbugao
Ecological impact
The Philippines filed a formal plea at the UN last year, challenging Beijing's territorial claims. Manila said China's reclamation activities are causing "irreversible and widespread damage to the biodiversity and ecological balance of the South China Sea." It also claimed that the destruction of coral reef systems is estimated to cause economic losses valued at $100 million annually.
