Washington-based think tank claims China nearing completion on man-made islands.
The U.S. think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies has recently analyzed satellite images that show China is nearing completion on an airbase in the South China Sea.
The new airbase would allow for the Chinese military to deploy aircraft and other necessary resources to areas in the seat where the ownership is hotly disputed.
An AP report describes China’s ambition to control territory in the region:
The [CSIS] analyzed recent satellite photos and concluded that runways, aircraft hangers, radar sites and hardened surface-to-air missile shelters have either been finished or are nearing completion.
The report, released Monday, appears to be the most conclusive indication yet that China is using its island-building project to give teeth to its claim over almost the entire South China Sea and its islands and reefs.
The report from the CSIS claims: “Beijing can now deploy military assets, including combat aircraft and mobile missile launchers, to the Spratly Islands at any time.”
China has drawn much criticism following the creation of seven other man-made islands with the U.S. and other countries accusing them of militarizing and expanding in order to validate their claims to geographical hotspots.
