(Washington News) The US website reported that satellite images have shown that in recent weeks, China has built aircraft runways on the Zhongjian Island, which is substantially controlled by the South China Sea.China Construction Island is located in the Xisha Islands with sovereignty disputes. Recently, Vietnam also claims to have the sovereignty of Zhongjian Island.
The Drive website reported on August 15 that although the runway project is still in the preliminary stage, it is progressing rapidly.It is reported that from the satellite image judgment provided by the Star Laboratory of the American Business Satellite Company, the project started a few weeks ago.
Satellite images also show that in addition to the runway, there is also a huge new working area including cement factories, which all emerged in last month.In addition to the two radar hoods, Zhongjian Island also had several Chinese flag observation stations, as well as a small port and helicopter apron.
The new runway is quite short and narrow. At present, it is about 2000 feet (about 610 meters) in length and about 45 feet width (about 14 meters).The analysis believes that this may be used to deploy a fixed wing machine in the short -term off -end and landing (Stol), and it can also accommodate helicopters, which will greatly improve the logistics area of the western western Xisha Islands.
It is reported that the most likely useful use of the runway is to deploy a hollow, medium/long -term airline drone.The analysis believes that the runway may be expanded in nearly one step, but unless the expansion of the China island is expanded, it cannot exceed 3100 feet (about 945 meters).
Zhongjian Island is the southernmost island of the Xisha Islands, 178 kilometers from Yongxing Island on the Xisha Islands.It is reported that no matter what the long -term plan of the new expansion is, China Construction Island has an important strategic position and the further development of infrastructure is of great significance.Yongxing Island is a precedent.It is reported that China had previously built facilities on Yongxing Island, and later became a forward combat base for the deployment of PLA fighter aircraft such as long -range bombers.
Reports also said that although the runway on Zhongjian Island is far less than 9,000 feet (about 2743 meters) on Yongxing Island, from the perspective of construction, it is likely to become an important outpost base.
According to reports from the Taiwan media from Hanoi, Vietnam Foreign Ministry spokesman Fan Qiuyi said on the 17th that Vietnam was verifying relevant information.She said that Vietnam's consistent position is that all the activities carried out by Vietnam's permission to the Xisha Islands violate Vietnam's sovereignty over the islands and complicate the situation.Safety and freedom.
