China Building Potential Military Asset on Paracel Islands in South China Sea

© AP Photo / XinhuaIn this undated photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a Chinese H-6K bomber patrols the islands and reefs in the South China Sea.
In this undated photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a Chinese H-6K bomber patrols the islands and reefs in the South China Sea. - Sputnik International
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Satellite footage taken on March 6 reveals the construction of a port that analysts believe could turn out to be a military installation on the North Island of the Paracels Island group.

Focus, a Taiwanese news agency, reported that leaders in Taipei are "keeping close tabs" on the construction work, which has so far included land-clearing and "preparation for a harbor."

China had started work on the port last year but had to restart the project after a typhoon wiped out most of the new structures, Focus noted. 

The Paracels are simultaneously claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam. Beijing had previously vowed to cease land reclamation, UPI reported. Nevertheless, airstrips have been built on other islets such as Woody Island.  

This photo taken on May 10, 2016 shows crew members of China's South Sea Fleet taking part in a logistics supply drill near the James Shoal area on South China Sea - Sputnik International
Beijing Outmaneuvering US Navy in South China Sea

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is slated to visit China on March 18 as part of an Asian tour, and the South China Sea is sure to be a hot topic during the discussions. In a Senate hearing, Tillerson said "we’re going have to send China a clear signal that, first, the island-building stops, and second, your access to those islands is not going to be allowed." 

A Global Times op-ed shot back, warning that Tillerson’s "unprofessional" remarks could cause a "military clash."

China has already built up the nearby Spratly Islands with structures featuring retractable roofs, which analysts warn could house surface-to-air missiles (SAM). As one US intelligence official said, "it is not like the Chinese to build anything in the South China Sea just to build it,” adding, "these structures resemble others that house SAM batteries." Beijing officials have denied allegations of militarization. "China carrying out normal construction activities,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, "is a normal right under international law for sovereign nations." 

Chinese researchers have also conducted drilling in the South China Sea as part of an effort to create the world’s first underwater observatory platform. 

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