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

Spratly Islands

Landing by civilian

New construction

CHINA

TAIWAN

plane on

Fiery

SOUTH

CHINA

SEA

on

Cross Reef

Jan 2 was first use

of runway by China

in disputed region

VIETNAM

Chinese

claim line

Cement

plant

PHILIPPINES

400km

MALAYSIA

250 miles

FIERY CROSS REEF

3,110m long,

Runway:

can handle long-range

bombers, fighter jets

and transport planes

Military harbour

Large enough

for tankers and

naval vessels

Antenna

array

Ongoing

construction

500m

0.3 miles

Runway markings

Helipad markings

Seawall construction

Sources: CSIS, wire agencies

Pictures: Getty Images