The development took place following last week’s joint statement by Australia, the U.S. and Japan which called on China to abide by the ruling of an worldwide tribunal over the South China Sea.
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Beijing has built three operational runways in the disputed Fiery Cross, Mischief and Subi Reefsislands which it claims is for civilian use but in reality, military fighter and transport planes regularly operate to the islands, a report in Philstar.com said. “But the rapid construction of reinforced hangars at all three features indicates that this is likely to change”, CSIS said in a report.
The communist country has remained defiant after an worldwide tribunal ruled against its expansion activities in the South China Sea, where about $5 trillion in global trade transits annually.
Beijing’s territorial claims to the Spratly Islands, which are believed to be rich in oil and gas reserves, run counter to those of the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and Vietnam.
Tensions over the South China Sea have grown since The Hague court ruled in July that China’s maritime claims are illegal.
China refused to participate in the case or recognize the ruling, and strongly criticised the United States for encouraging its ally to pursue the matter, according to AP.
The Japan Coast Guard said at least two of the 13 Chinese vessels have entered Japanese territorial waters around the islands despite repeated warnings for them to leave.
Also Tuesday, Former Philippine President Fidel Ramos said in Hong Kong that he wants to focus on points of common interest with China such as tourism and commercial fishing as part of efforts to smooth relations with Beijing roiled by the South China Sea dispute.
China has repeatedly denied doing so, saying the facilities were for civilian and self-defence use, and in turn criticised U.S. patrols and exercises for ramping up tensions.
The photographs show development undertaken on the Spratly Islands, a strategically vital area where China has built its own artificial islands on reefs. “They are reinforced to take a strike”.
Evidence of the military hangars emerged a month after an global tribunal at The Hague, Netherlands, sharply rebuked China over its behavior in the South China Sea, including its assertion of expansive sovereignty and construction of artificial islands.
On the other hand, the smallest hangars are 60 to 70 feet wide, enough to accommodate China’s largest fighter jets.
Some analysts said the latest construction is an indication of China flexing its military might in the area.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Tokyo would continue to urge China not to escalate the East China Sea dispute, while also responding firmly and calmly.
“I’ve always been a very optimistic person, always looking for the best results”, Ramos told reporters in Hong Kong.
“We can not accept that [China] is taking actions that unilaterally raise tensions”.
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The source added that reinforced hangars are for military aircraft.
