China's first runway in Spratlys under construction

2015-04-16T11:03:42-04:00

China's first runway in Spratlys under construction

Key Points

Satellite imagery shows that China has begun building a runway on reclaimed parts of Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly Islands
The imagery, provided by Airbus Defence and Space, also shows China building islands on Subi Reef that if linked up would provide enough land for another airstrip
China has begun to build its first airstrip in the Spratly Islands, according to IHS Jane’s analysis of Airbus Defence and Space satellite imagery taken in March.

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.

Airbus Defence and Space imagery shows runway construction underway at Fiery Cross Reef. (© CNES 2015, Distribution Airbus DS / Spot Image / IHS) 1569027
Airbus Defence and Space imagery shows runway construction underway at Fiery Cross Reef. (© CNES 2015, Distribution Airbus DS / Spot Image / IHS) 1569027

Other imagery taken in March also shows China could be building a second airstrip-capable island on Subi Reef.

China’s island building at Fiery Cross Reef has created a landmass that is capable of housing a runway about 3,000 m long. This would be well within the parameters of existing People’s Liberation Army Air Force runways on mainland China, which vary in length from about 2,700 m to 4,000 m at most.

The runway at Woody Island in the Paracel Islands was about 2,300 m before upgrade work started there in 2014; satellite imagery suggests China is also expanding that to be about 3,000 m long.

The 23 March imagery of Fiery Cross Reef also shows further dredging on the new island’s southwestern side, close to the extant platform that China originally built on the reef. The imagery also shows floating cranes consolidating the integrity of new island’s harbour by placing concrete blocks on the interior walls; an exterior sea wall has also been extended, presumably to provide better protection for ships in port.

Airbus imagery taken of Subi Reef – also in the Spratlys – on 6 February and 5 March shows land reclamation on this site too. The 6 February image shows three islands being created. By 5 March, at least nine dredgers are creating larger landmasses on the reef that if joined together could create enough land for another 3,000 m-long airstrip.

While Fiery Cross Reef is to the west of the Spratly Islands archipelago, Subi Reef is on the north side of the island group and is only 25 km from Thitu/Pagasa island, which is occupied by the Philippines and has a civilian population.

http://www.janes.com/article/50714/china-s-first-runway-in-spratlys-under-construction

China's first runway in Spratlys under construction - IHS Jane's 360

Key Points Satellite imagery shows that China has begun building a runway on reclaimed parts of Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly Islands The imagery, provided by Airbus Defence and Space, also shows China building islands on Subi Reef that if linked up would provide enough land for another airstrip

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Apr 16 at 2015 11:14 AM

2015-04-16T11:14:51-04:00

No big surprise. They are laying claim to the South China Sea and we are too spread thin to do anything about it...and still beating the drums for a war with Iran.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 16 at 2015 12:52 PM

2015-04-16T12:52:41-04:00

What China is doing is claiming the vast majority of the South Chia Sea which is surrounded by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Some of the territorial waters they are claiming are a few nautical miles from a nation. They are definitely flexing their muscle as the South China Sea will stop being a shipping lanes for various countries if China wants to enforce their concept of territorial seas.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 2 at 2015 12:24 AM

2015-07-02T00:24:09-04:00

Interesting SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas. I suspect we have no response for this either.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Jul 2 at 2015 2:06 AM

2015-07-02T02:06:57-04:00

SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas - Senior Master Sergeant; Potentially. On the other hand the last paragraph says a lot that people on this side of the ocean aren't hearing.

One of the things which compelled the Japanese to attack the United States of America - even though they knew that they weren't going to win - was "face" and potential loss of "face".

You or I might not think that that is significant, but neither of us is Chinese.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jul 2 at 2015 3:53 AM

2015-07-02T03:53:31-04:00

Out of ignorance, I would ask if a country could rightfully claim real-estate developed in international waters. Can they claim the surrounding air-space as well? My guess is that something like this would legitimately belong to the country that put it there --kind of like GOPLATS & sea-borne refineries. As the article didn't cite any hotels or nightclubs going up on the island, we must assume this is an attempt to expand their sphere of influence. Guess we'll have to wait to see what mixture of aircraft begin to land here... (?) In the meantime, I'd hope someone has added this grid to the pre-planned targets' list.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Jul 2 at 2015 8:32 AM

2015-07-02T08:32:11-04:00

How did they manage that when the Spratly's are watch by numerous countries who claim them as theirs?

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 2 at 2015 9:03 AM

2015-07-02T09:03:25-04:00

SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas I think we need to always be concerned about China and their continued military build up. I'm surprised we haven't had a leader like Reagan come along and start a Cold War with China since it continues to build its military force and show aggressive signs that they will do anything to make the Pacific region their own. I think these manmade islands are nice significant targets that could be taken out very quickly as well if that day ever comes. Let's hope it doesn't!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2015 9:20 AM

2015-07-02T09:20:36-04:00

The president is sleeping and doesn't care. Why would he prevent the Kurds from getting the proper support? Probably because he wants the favor of liberal politicians around the world and to heck with the rest of us.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jul 2 at 2015 10:11 AM

2015-07-02T10:11:37-04:00

This is the international relations version of "I licked it, therefore it's mine"......

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 2 at 2015 11:38 AM

2015-07-02T11:38:16-04:00

SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas, a few days ago there was a post mentioning that for the first time a Japanese American is the PACOM Commander: Admiral Harry B. Harris, Jr., U.S. Navy.
It will be ironic if a Japanese American confronts China since it was only a few generations ago that the Japanese invaded China.
I do not expect much rhetoric to be expended by the current administration on the Spratly Islands. I expect the progress of the development of the airstrip will continue to be monitored by the organizations which do that sort of thing.
The Spratly Islands and especially the oil and natural gas "reserves" in that area are of great interest to the nations in that region who have long claimed sovereignty over the area:
Malaysia http://www1.american.edu/ted/ice/spratly.htm
Actors: China, Vietnam, Philippines,
China: claims all islands in the Spratly region. According to Marcus Hall's "Trouble Brewing in the South China Sea" assessment, China entered the dispute in three phases. The first phase encompassed China's claim to the Paracel Islands (which are north of the Spratly Islands) in the 1950s. The second phase took place in 1974, when China seized the Paracel Islands from Vietnam. The third phase began on 14 March 1988, with China's military engagement with Vietnamese forces over the removal of China's flag from a newly claimed shoal. The military clash resulted in China gaining possession of 6 islands in the Spratly region.
China's claim to all islands in the Spratly archipelago stems from its historical presence in the region, dating as far back as the Han dynasty of the 2nd century, BC. According to Marcus Hall's evaluation, China's historical claim is dubious and neglects similar historical claims by Taiwan, Vietnam and Malaysia. Moreover, China's historical interpretation of its sovereignty rights ignores current international law.
The Philippines: claim approximately 60 of islands in the Spratly region. Joint exploration with Royal Dutch/Shell Group and Alcorn International near the Palawan Island will raise the Philippines annual oil production from the 3,000 b/d produced in 1991 from 7 wells in the South China Sea.(12)
Vietnam: claims part of islands in the Spratly region. Vietnam's only oil well in production as of 1991 is the White Tiger field, 400 km west of the Crestone block. In 1992, however, Vietnam hastened leasing to foreign exploration.
Taiwan: claims all islands in the Spratly region. The Spratly Islands are strategically important to Taiwan for two reasons: (1) important shipping lanes pass through waters surrounding the Spratly Islands; and, (2) the South China Sea, in general, is fish abundant. Thus, Taiwan feels compelled to protect its interests.
Malaysia: is the earliest oil operator in the sea and claims 3 islands and 4 rock groups in the Spratly region. As of 1992, Malaysia was running 90 oil- producing wells, with $210 million planned for further development between 1992 and 1995.
Brunei: claims the Louisa Reef in the Spratly region, located adjacent to its coastline. Brunei became an active player in the Spratly disputes only within recent years. Production of its 9 oil fields in the South China Sea hovers around 143,000 b/d.
Indirect Actors: the United States:
The United States could become involved on two fronts -- commercial and military. U.S. businesses participating in off-shore exploration in the disputed islands have a commercial stake in how inter-state tension and disputed claims are resolved. On the military side, the United States has a mutual defense pact with the Philippines, yet analysts indicate the Spratly disputes are unlikely to invoke the pact. The United States would, however, likely take action if maritime activity was restricted in a manner inconsistent with international law.
Japan: Like the United States, Japan has a vested interest in the resolution of the Spratly disputes. The disputed region is located near Japan's principal oil imports' shipping lanes. Moreover, Japanese companies are involved in some of the exploration endeavors in the disputed territory.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Jul 2 at 2015 3:27 PM

2015-07-02T15:27:34-04:00

It is China's bid to enhance its military projection capabilities. I'm sure neighboring countries aren't pleased about this but members of the ASEAN need to address this without relying on the United States, we do enough already without having to take this on when the immediate threat affects them more than it does us.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Sep 9 at 2015 3:13 PM

2015-09-09T15:13:32-04:00

I don't believe it will cause WWIII. I know the tension is very high in that area.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 9 at 2015 3:15 PM

2015-09-09T15:15:46-04:00

Maybe regional disputes with countries disputing ownership of the islands, but not WWIII.

China forced one of our EP-3s down in the South China Sea way back... That didn't start a conflict.

There are issues with the Chinese harassing vessels out in international waters along the Chinese coast line... no conflicts. (https://www.google.com/search?q=china+harrasses+US+ships+in+international+waters&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8)

The fact is that both China and the US have a vested interest in not creating armed conflict between them.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 9 at 2015 3:18 PM

2015-09-09T15:18:14-04:00

It is a small step in that direction.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 10 at 2015 1:07 PM

2015-09-10T13:07:32-04:00

Yes. They are stationary aircraft carriers to enforce their claims.