What China Has Been Building in the South China Sea

Sections of the South China Sea are under dispute. After literally shoring up some of its claims by expanding reefs and islets, China has announced an end to the reclamation work. “Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan have all expanded islands in the Spratlys as well, but at nowhere near the same scale as China,” reports Derek Watkins in a report for the New York Times. “So far China has built port facilities, military buildings and an airstrip on the islands. The installations bolster China’s foothold in the Spratly Islands, a disputed scattering of reefs and islands in the South China Sea more than 500 miles from the Chinese mainland.” Such infrastructure allows China to manage the South China Sea’s rich fishing resources, access oil and gas reserves, and maintain security outposts and patrols. The other countries have airstrips in the Spratlys, too. Competition to control the area raises tensions that could lead to unintentional conflict. Biologists point out that the rapid building damages the marine ecosystem and the resources under claim. – YaleGlobal