In a span of ten
weeks, China
has built an island compatible with an airstrip over Zamora Reef, according to
a report published by online magazine The Diplomat over the weekend.
“The dimensions
and shape of the landfill, which is still underway, are compatible with a
potential airstrip 3,300 meters long,” The Diplomat reported.
The dimensions of
the landfill, the report added, are similar to the prospective length of the runway
being paved on Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reef, the site of another Chinese
construction project.
“Military
analysts have observed that a runway 3,300 meters long could support virtually
all types of combat and supply aircraft in China ’s navy and air force,” the
report read.
The Diplomat
article said the speed, scale, intensity and remoteness of China ’s ongoing manufacture of land and
infrastructure within the West Philippine Sea
“have few or no parallels in history outside of wartime.”
Satellite
images
The Diplomat also
published satellite images showing China ’s fast-paced construction
activities in disputed areas.
The photos were
taken April 17, just three days before the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) admitted that the country is in a “very difficult position” because of China ’s
reclamation projects.
The Diplomat
report noted that only two small sites of dredging and landfill activity were
detectable at Zamora
(Subi) Reef on Feb. 6. “As of April 17, 2015, the landfill of Subi measured
2.27 square kilometers in area, on a par with the rapidly manufactured island
at Fiery Cross Reef, recently assessed as 2.65 square kilometers in area.”
A “sizable new
port” and runway or taxiway are also being constructed in Kagitingan Reef.
While there are no such naval facilities in Zamora , China
is reportedly expanding a channel on the reef’s south rim.
“The
near-complete enclosure formed by the natural reef provides a protective harbor
in its own right. In addition, extensive ongoing landfill at the southern
extremity of Subi could be purposed for marine docks,” the report added.
The online
article said Panganiban (Mischief) Reef has been filled with sand and coral
cuttings to an area of about 2.42 square kilometers as of April 13. There was
virtually no above-water terrain in the area a few months ago.
The report said China is also
expanding its landfill across the northern rim of Panganiban Reef along a
relatively straight portion of the submerged reef.
The dimensions
are believed to be capable of supporting a landing strip longer than 3,000
meters. A large part of the reef’s southwest rim was completely filled in just
eight weeks, the report said.
China is also
speeding up construction projects in Kennan (Chigua), Mabini (Johnson South),
Burgos (Gaven), Calderon (Cuarteron), areas that the Philippines considers as
part of its territory.
Amid the mounting
tension in the West Philippine Sea , the
Philippine government is officially opening today a central maritime monitoring
hub to keep an eye on the country’s maritime domain.
The National Coast
Watch Center
is located at South Harbor , Port Area, Manila . It was put up with the help of the US government.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/04/28/15/china-may-be-building-airstrip-subi-reef
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