The new estimate,
disclosed for the first time, comes as the Pentagon released its annual report
on China ’s
military power. The report warns that while the intent of Beijing ’s
construction in contested islands in the South China Sea
intent is unclear, five emerging outposts could be used for surveillance
systems, harbors, an airfield and logistical support.
The wide-ranging
report also details Chinese government-backed cyberattacks against the U.S. government to collect intelligence and
steal high-tech data from defense programs to support China ’s
industry. And it warns that China
now “boasts the most dynamic space program in the world today.”
The document also
repeats persistent U.S. concerns about China’s growing capacity to project
military power beyond its borders, with continued investments in new missiles,
ships and aircraft as well as cyber, space and electronic warfare. That
military modernization, the report said, “has the potential to reduce core U.S. military
technological advantages.”
For the first
time, however, the report describes the “extensive” land reclamation at five
outposts in the Spratly
Islands , adding that at
four of the sites the work has shifted to mainly development and construction.
The report says China had
reclaimed about 200 hectares as of late last December, underscoring the
dramatic increase in the past four months. The defense official said the
construction has been methodical and continuous since December. The official
was not authorized to discuss the issue publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
According to the
report, China ’s
government says the projects “are mainly for improving the living and working
conditions of those stationed on the islands. However, most analysts outside China believe that China
is attempting to change facts on the ground by improving its defense
infrastructure in the South China Sea .”
Chinese officials
have defended the land reclamation by saying it is Beijing ’s territory, adding that the
buildings and infrastructure are for public service use and to support fishermen.
It accuses the Philippines , Vietnam and
others of carrying out their own building work on other islands.
The Obama
administration says land reclamation risks exacerbating tensions in the South
China Sea, where China
and five other claimants contest sovereignty of tiny islands and reefs. Last
summer, the U.S. called for
a moratorium on construction work by the various claimants, but China has only
doubled down.
Although it is
unclear what will ultimately be built on these expanded outposts, the report
says, “China
will be able to use them as persistent civil-military bases of operation to
enhance its presence significantly in disputed areas.”
According to the
defense official, Vietnam
has reclaimed about 25 hectares of land since 2009. The report said Taiwan began a “modest land reclamation effort”
on Itu Aba Island
last year, and has reclaimed about 2 hectares near the island’s airstrip. There
are reports that Taiwan
is building a $100 million port near the airstrip that could accommodate naval
frigates and coast guard cutters, the Pentagon said.
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0002139267
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