New installations spotted near China’s military base in South China Sea
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New installations have been spotted on Yagong Island near Antelope Reef in the disputed Paracel Islands, where China is believed to be developing what could become its largest military base in the South China Sea, according to satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters.
Commercial satellite imagery provider Vantor captured the latest image on August 17. The company said construction on the site began in March and April.
The three-pronged construction on Yagong Island could be an early warning radar facility supporting future installations at nearby Antelope Reef, security analysts said. Vantor said several structures resembled military radar and early warning facilities seen elsewhere in the South China Sea, although their purpose could not yet be established.
Reuters reported last week that China had completed the first phase of construction at Antelope Reef. Satellite images showed an artificial island nearly 6 km long, with a straight coastline extending more than 3 km that some analysts believe could serve as a runway.
Yagong Island is about 14 km northeast of Antelope Reef. Both are part of the Crescent Group in the western Paracels.
Open-source intelligence tracker Damien Symon said a radar facility was possible but that it was too early to reach a firm conclusion. Singapore-based security scholar Collin Koh said the installation could be a standalone observation post, but suggested it was most likely a radar station.
China has not acknowledged construction of a new military base at Antelope Reef. Chinese state media have said the facilities would serve civilian purposes including weather forecasting, fisheries protection and scientific research.
China has occupied the Paracels since 1974, when it seized the islands from the navy of former South Vietnam. Vietnam claims the entire island group and has expanded its own network of bases in the Spratly Islands.
The South China Sea is also claimed in whole or in part by the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei. The growing construction is likely to strengthen China's military presence in the northern part of the strategically important waterway, regional security analysts and military attaches said.