Tensions surge over China’s Spratly airstrip

China’s first landing of a plane on an artificial reef in the disputed Spratly Islands could lead to a Beijing-controlled air defence zone, sparking tensions with other claimants in the South China Sea

CHINA

VIETNAM

MALAYSIA

SOUTH CHINA SEA

Spratly Islands Landing by civilian plane on Fiery Cross Reef on Jan 2 was first use of runway by China in disputed region

TAIWAN

Chinese claim line

PHILIPPINES

400km 250 miles

FIERY CROSS REEF

Runway: 3,110m long, can handle long-range bombers, fighter jets and transport planes

Antenna array

Helipad markings

Runway markings

Ongoing construction

500m 0.3 miles

New construction

Cement plant

Military harbour Large enough for tankers and naval vessels

Seawall construction

Sources: CSIS, wire agencies

Pictures: Getty Images