Beijing ‘builds new missile shelters and radars’ on disputed South China Sea islands amid fears it will send warplanes and rocket launchers there ‘at any time’
US think tank says Beijing has built missile shelters and radars on disputed islands in the South China Sea
Satellite images show ‘new military facilities’ have been constructed on Mischief, Fiery Cross and Subi Reefs
Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative fears China can now send warplanes and rocket launchers there
By JULIAN ROBINSON
DailyMail.com
30 June 2017
Beijing has built new missile shelters, communications facilities and a radar on disputed islands in the South China Sea, according to a US think tank.
Satellite images appear to show new facilities on the Fiery Cross, Mischief and Subi Reefs in the Spratly Islands.
The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), part of Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies, warned Beijing could now send rocket launchers and warplanes there ‘at any time’.
Washington has accused China of militarising the vital waterway and fears this could be used to restrict free movement through the South China Sea, an important trade route.
AMTI said new satellite images show missile shelters and radar and communications facilities being built on the artificial islands.
Last month, a U.S. Navy warship sailed within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef in a so-called freedom of navigation operation.
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