South China Sea: As US backs down, China advances
Artificial islands, weapons tests, new partnerships: China is expanding its military presence in Southeast Asia. Countries that have so far relied on the US as a protective power are concerned.
Antelope Reef, a coral atoll in the South China Sea, has been transformed into one of the largest islands in the disputed area. Chinese dredgers added millions of tons of sand to the reef over several months, creating a large island that was previously just a tiny sandbank visible only at low tide. The island's construction appears to be complete, according to satellite images provided by Vantor to Handelsblatt and other media.
The dredgers have been withdrawn, leaving the new artificial island as a symbol of China's growing presence in the region.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's report — not a translation of it. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
