New photos show China’s artificial islands are highly developed military bases
The reclaimed reefs and rocks house airfields, radar installations and possible missile silos.
By RFA Staff
2022.10.31
New images have emerged showing airfields and other structures on some of China’s artificial islands in the South China Sea that the U.S. said had been “fully militarized.”
Getty Image’s photographer Ezra Acayan obtained access to flights near a number of reefs and rocks that China has reclaimed and turned into military bases with radar stations, airstrips and artillery installations.
The photos taken on Oct. 25 show another dimension of the Chinese artificial islands, up to now mostly captured on satellite images.
U.S. Indo-Pacific commander, Adm. John C. Aquilino, said in March that China had fully militarized at least three artificial islands including Mischief Reef, Subi Reef and Fiery Cross, all in the Spratly archipelago that Beijing claims “historical rights” over.
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/southchinasea/china-artificial-islands-10312022043801.html
