China completes first stage of work at disputed South China Sea reef
Antelope Reef construction could strengthen Beijing’s military hold and surveillance capabilities in the strategic waterway, say analysts.
China has finished the initial phase of work on Antelope Reef in the Paracel Islands, a disputed area in the South China Sea. This development marks the creation of a man-made island that analysts believe will become a significant part of China's largest military base. Satellite images have revealed the outline of the reclaimed feature, with evidence of at least six months of work by barges and dredgers.
The completion of this project underscores the increasing militarization of the South China Sea, as both China and the United States and its allies vie for power in the region. The northern part of the South China Sea is particularly crucial in the event of a Taiwan conflict, making Antelope Reef an ideal location for China's military base.
Construction has begun on buildings, including a helicopter pad, in the southeast corner of the island. China has not yet acknowledged the construction of a new military base, but state media claim the island will serve civilian purposes such as weather forecasting and scientific research. This move is expected to strengthen China's military presence in the northern part of the vital waterway, potentially complicating operations for the US and Vietnam.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
