China “building third airstrip” in Spratlys

Recent satellite images appear to show construction for a third Chinese airstrip on the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SOUTH CHINA SEA Chinese claim line

Mischief Reef: Images show retaining wall around 3,000m-long area of island,suggesting construction of new airstrip

Spratly Islands Spratly Island Fiery Cross Reef* Cuarteron Reef Thitu Island Taiping Island Subi Reef* Gaven
Reefs Hughes Reef Swallow Reef Johnson South Reef SOUTH CHINA SEA  MALAYSIA PHILIPPINES 160km 100 miles

ISLAND CLAIMS
China Vietnam Taiwan China land reclamation Malaysia Philippines Airstrips
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
AIRSTRIP COMPARISON (aircraft capabilities)

Transport / surveillance Fighter jet Bomber

Spratly Island Vietnam Runway length 500m

Thitu Island Philippines 1,000m

Taiping Island Taiwan 1,195m

Swallow Reef Malaysia 1,368m

Fiery Cross Reef* China 3,000m
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Centre for Strategic and International Studies

*Airstrip under construction

words 136