Reclamation
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Dispute over the South China Sea could put East Asia at war again
Arms Buildup, Artificial Islands, Brunei, China, Fishing Rights, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Militarizaiton, Oil, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, USA, Vietnam, WarPhilippine authorities have released satellite pictures of six reefs in the Spratly archipelago that indicate that the Chinese are building artificial structures in the disputed territories of the South China Sea. According to some observers, these features could allow China to extend the range of its navy, air force, coastguard and fishing fleets into the […]
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China’s island-building spree is about more than just military might
Aritificial Islands, China, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, Unsinkable Aircraft CarriersChina’s playing Monopoly in the South China Sea—only, instead of building hotels on Pacific Avenue, it’s constructing helipads and, in some cases, whole new islands. In less than a year, shallow reefs in the Spratly Islands have sprouted white-sand outcrops, sporting what look to be Chinese military facilities, according to satellite imagery published this week by IHS Jane’s Defence […]
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South China Sea Manoeuvrings: More of the same in 2015?
Analysis, Artificial Islands, Brunei, China, expert analysis, IMOA, International Law, Maritime Disputes, maritime issues, Maritime Security, MIMA, Philippines, Reclamation, Regional Stability, South China Sea Dispute, Sovereignty, VietnamRead Sumathy Permal’s expert commentary on maritime issues, published by the Centre for Maritime Security and Diplomacy, MIMA. Explore perspectives on sovereignty, security, and international maritime law.
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China Expands Island Construction in Disputed South China Sea
Artificial Islands, China, Hughes Reef, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, South Johnson Reef, Unsinkable Aircraft CarriersBEIJING—Newly released satellite images show a dramatic expansion in China’s construction of artificial islands on disputed South China Sea reefs, intensifying concerns about Beijing’s territorial ambitions. The images provide the first visual evidence that China has built an artificial island covering 75,000 square yards—about 14 football fields—and including two piers, a cement plant and a […]
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Reefer Madness: Why Is China on a Building Spree in the South China Sea?
Artificial Islands, China, Fishing Rights, Militarization, Oil, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, USAChina’s frantic construction activity on a series of disputed reefs in the South China Sea has set off alarm bells across the Pacific and in Washington, raising fears that Beijing is putting steel in the ground to back up its contentious claims to a big swath of one of the world’s key waterways. Since last […]
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Mischief Reef, Fiery Cross Reef, Johnson South Reef, Cuarteron Reef, Hughes Reef, and Gaven Reef
Artificial Islands, China, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, Unsinkable Aircraft CarrierNotwithstanding the protest by smaller Asian nations over the swift pace that China has been constructing facilities in disputed islands in the South China Sea, Beijing again flexed its military muscle by claiming a seventh reef. The news of another China claim comes from the Philippines, one of the Southeast Asian nations that is contesting […]
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Philippines Skeptical of China’s Reclamation Work in Contested Sea
ADIZ, Albert del Rosario, Artificial Islands, China, Militarization, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, SpratlysMANILA— The Philippines is expressing “serious concern” over newly released satellite images that show major progress in China’s reclamation work at contested outcroppings in the South China Sea. The latest images published by IHS Jane’s Defense Weekly show “a large facility” in the works at Johnson South Reef. In May 2014, the Philippine military reported […]
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Before and After: The South China Sea Transformed
Artificial Islands, China, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, Unsinkable Aircraft CarriersThis map shows four land features in the Spratly Islands that have undergone significant construction or land reclamation work in the past year. They are: Itu Aba, Gaven Reef, Johnson South Reef, and Fiery Cross Reef. Read more details about the features of these projects and use click and drag the slider in the middle […]
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China’s mischief: Expansion, reclamation
Artificial Islands, China, Fishing Rights, Panatag Shoal, Panganiban Reef, Philippines, Reclamation, South China Sea Dispute, Unsinkable Aircraft CarriersPUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines—China has deployed a dredging ship at the disputed Panganiban Reef (Mischief Reef) and is doing “substantial” reclamation in the partially submerged area, signaling Beijing may be preparing to expand its facilities there, according to the military command that is directly in charge of securing the country’s maritime interests in the West […]
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China continues to consolidate presence, control in S. China Sea
Artificial Islands, ASEAN, China, Code of Conduct, Philippines, Reclamation, Sout China Sea Dispute, Spratlys, UNCOS, Unsinkable Aircraft CarrierChina is beefing up its rapid deployment force in the disputed Spratly Islands to enable it to respond at short notice in case tensions flare up in the South China Sea, which geologists believe contains huge oil and mineral gas deposits, according to Philippine government officials. Beijing’s rapid expansion and upgrading of military infrastructure on […]