China has begun building its first air fields in the disputed Spratly Islands, new satellite imagery has revealed.
According to IHS Jane’s analysis of Airbus Defence and Space satellite imagery taken last month, China is building a new air strip on the Fiery Cross Reef, which is one of the reefs that Beijing has transformed into an island through its reclamation efforts. When completed, it will serve as China’s first air strip in the Spratly Islands, which are also claimed by Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.
“The 23 March images show a paved section of runway 503 m by 53 m on the northeastern side of Fiery Cross Reef, which China began to turn into an island in late 2014. Paving and ground preparation of other sections of the runway has also begun further along the island. In addition, workers have paved about 400 m by 20 m of apron,” James Hardy, the author of the IHS Jane’s article, notes.
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