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China’s Second Great Wall: Part 2

Note: This article is hosted here for archival purposes only. It does not necessarily represent the values of the Iron Warrior or Waterloo Engineering Society in the present day.

Following the progress on China’s Territorial expansion on the Spratly Islands located on international waters along the South China Sea, West Philippine Sea and Southern Vietnam, more developments have unfolded within the last month. In our last article, we reported the growing man-made islands which came to life in 2014. Construction was initially noted when dredging of sand and dirt was done around the natural Spratly islands, disturbing more than hundreds of acres of coral reefs. The land reclamation project as China calls it, now boasts a total of 7 man-made islands, the largest being a monumental 4 square kilometers spanning over what used to be coral reefs. The project has caused tension between bordering countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Nations such as the United States and Japan have taken an interest in the unfolding events, the latter being no stranger to territorial disputes with China.

A recent announcement from China stating that construction on some of the islands within their land reclamation project are nearing completion, has brought the issue back in the foreground. Within the course of a year, dredging ship, and military vessels have been spotted all along the South China Sea for the project. Recent aerial and satellite photographs that have surfaced on the internet have shown the massive undertaking that has been in progress along the Spratly’s. An airstrip can be clearly seen in one of its man-made islands located on Fiery Cross Reef and experts have speculated that it is large enough to hold fighter jets, transport planes and surveillance aircraft.

The U.S. have warned that the islands may allow China to eventually deploy radar and missile systems on the new islands to establish superiority in the region. This may lead to an event similar to China’s creation of an air defense identification zone in the East China Sea back in 2013. In recent exchanges, between the United States and China, the US P8-A Poseidon surveillance aircraft flying over the islands (which are considered international airspace) was contacted by the Chinese Navy and subsequently asked to leave. Similarly Philippine aircraft and ships found near or around the Spratly’s were warned by the Chinese military. China’s foreign ministry has claimed that the incidents with the various nations should not be seen as confrontation but merely China exercising its right in monitoring all relevant air space and waters, to protect its sovereignty and prevent any accidents in its waters. The US Navy has recently footage pertaining to the encounter showing military installations being built on the islands.

China has continued to defend its stance, claiming the islands are for civilian purpose and has been quick to turn down all accusations from various nations despite the growing evidence that has surfaced. Regardless of the continuity of their project, and the illegality and aggressive nature of their actions have many security experts fearing for conflict. It is worth noting that disputes with China on contested waters are nothing new, and they have had a long track record for territorial disputes with countries such as Japan, Malaysia, and the Philippines among many others.

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