China’s island-building projects

China is conducting dredging operations to reclaim land at six locations in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. The largest project – which started at Fiery Cross Reef in August – is an artificial island big enough for a 3,000-metre-long runway and harbour
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CHINA 

VIETNAM

PHILIPPINES

SOUTH CHINA SEA

MALAYSIA

Chinese claim line

Spratly Islands

Johnson South Reef Military structure, Feb 2013
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Islands claimed by…

China

Vietnam

Taiwan

Malaysia

400km 250 miles

Philippines

Chinese reclamation

Thitu Island

Taiping Island

Gaven Reefs

Fiery Cross Reef

Cuarteron Reef

Spratly Island

Swallow Reef

Eldad Reef

Hughes Reef

Mischief Reef

Johnson South Reef

PHILIPPINES

Spratly Island

SOUTH CHINA SEA

MALAYSIA

BRUNEI

100 miles 160km

Existing airfields (runway length)

Taiping Island Taiwan 1,200m

Swallow Reef Malaysia 1,064m

Thitu Island Philippines 1,400m

Spratly Island Vietnam 610m

Johnson South Reef Military structure, Feb 2014
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Fiery Cross Reef Jan 2015

Aug 2014: Reclamation around Chinese Navy platform starts

Reclaimed land: 3,000m long and up to 300m wide. Runway could support attack aircraft and aerial refuelling tankers

New terrain: Land likely to be used for garrison

Military harbour: Large enough to receive tankers and fast attack craft
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Source: IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly

Pictures: Associated Press, Philippine Armed Forces, Airbus Defence and Space satellite imagery

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