Trump faces South China Sea challenge

With U.S.-Chinese relations entering unknown territory under Donald Trump's administration, it is likely China will push to finish developing seven artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea. Over the past two years Beijing has added 1,300 hectares of land and built three, 3km-long runways capable of accommodating large military jets

CHINA

Chinese claim line

VIETNAM

300km 185 miles

Paracel Islands: Under Chinese control – claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan

Woody Island

SOUTH CHINA SEA

Spratly Islands

BRUNEI

MALAYSIA

TAIWAN

Scarborough Shoal

PHILIPPINES

Runway

1km 0.6 miles

All satellite pictures taken Nov 15, 2016

MISCHIEF REEF

Land reclaimed: 5,580,000 sq m

China developing military base with large harbour

In July Permanent Court of Arbitration rules reef belongs to Philippines. China calls ruling “ill-founded”

Fighter-jet hangars

Hangars for larger planes

Anti-aircraft or anti-missile systems

Radar tower

Harbour

SUBI REEF

Land reclaimed: 3,950,000 sq m

Runway

1km  0.6 miles

FIERY CROSS REEF

Land reclaimed: 2,740,000 sq m

Runway

1km 0.6 miles

WEAPONS SYSTEMS:Satellite images show China  is building anti-aircraft guns and close-in weapons systems (CIWS) to protect against cruise missile strikes at each of its seven outposts in Spratly Islands

Spratly Island

Occupied by
China
Vietnam
Philippines
Malaysia
Taiwan
Airstrips

Fiery Cross Reef

Spratly Island

Swallow Reef

Subi Reef

Taiping Island

Gaven Reef

Johnson South Reef

Cuarteron Reef

100km 60 miles

Thitu Island

Hughes Reef

Mischief Reef

SOUTH CHINA SEA

PHILIPPINES

MALAYSIA

AIRCRAFT: Each of three airstrips has hangar space for 24 fighter jets plus 3-4 larger planes, including largest planes in Chinese fleet such as Xian H-6K nuclear-capable bomber

Xian H-6K: Strategic bomber capable of attacking U.S. carrier battle groups and priority targets in Asia

Sources: Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), U.S. Department of Defense  
Pictures: AMTI, Getty Images