China has nearly completed the artificial island it is building to grab territory in the South China Sea
The US has compared the islands to the actions of Russia in Ukraine
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Chinese government has nearly completed a 3km-long airstrip on a man-made island built to project military power into the South China Sea.
New photos taken by US aircraft show dozens of Chinese dredging vessels at work near the island in the Spratly archipelago.
The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington says that two helipads, ten satellite dishes, a Chinese Naval vessel and a radar tower are visible in the photo.
China claims most of the South China Sea as its own territory, though this is disputed by neighbouring nations including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.
Last week the US State Department compared China’s policy in the South China Sea to that of Vladimir Putin’s Russia in eastern Ukraine.
“The way forward is for China, and all claimants, to freeze their reclamation activities and resolve their difference in accordance the rule of law,” Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
“In both eastern Ukraine and the South China Sea, we’re witnessing efforts to unilaterally and coercively change the status quo — transgressions that the United States and our allies stand united against,”
Mr Blinken was speaking at a speech at the Center for a New American Security think tank.
China intensified efforts to construct the island last year.
The country’s government says the outposts have military, disaster relief, navigation, and search and rescue purposes.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments