China builds anew on Yagong Island close to Antelope Reef endorsing its military presence. Recent satellite imagery taken in mid-August has shed light once again on the continuous build-up of China in the South China Sea. Reports of new installations on the small islet Yagong Island, just 14km North East of Antelope Reef in the Paracel group, have revealed the newfound Chinese ambition to establish the potential building blocks of their largest military installation yet in the northern area of this rivalry.
The most recent images, taken August 17 by commercial satellite company Vantor, reveal three-pronged construction is progressing on Yagong. The work on the site started earlier this year; construction activity can be seen in March and April photographs. Security experts point out that the buildings under construction appear visually similar to radar facilities and early warning stations already in operation on Chinese-controlled features elsewhere in the South China Sea.
One Vantor representative reflected that the structures seem to be more closely connected with the final military purpose of the far more extensive development taking place at Antelope Reef. Antelope Reef meanwhile has experienced significant changes. Once a semi-submerged feature, it has been transformed into a man-made island nearly six kilometers long.
Of specific concern is a straight three-kilometer plus coin of shore, which several analysts interpret as development aimed at a full-length airport able to handle virtually all aircraft in the regional fleet. A large finger-wharf and deep-draft anchorage area emerged, with at least one Chinese coast guard vessel seen previously alongside in the area.
Construction of a larger Antilope Reef island is underway with buildings and a helicopter pad underway on the southeastern fringes of the feature. Yagong and Antelope lie in the Crescent Group of the western Paracels, an area claimed in whole or in part by China, Vietnam and Taiwan. The Chinese quickly began applying their accumulation model of land reclamation and infrastructure development in the areabuilding airstrips warehouses radar installations, and missile sitesthat history shows they have used consistently in the area for the past decade.
Several recent Chinese installations have been builtshaping military power and control over one of the most important regions in the global economy. It is undeniable that the northern SCS is of particular strategic importance to the regime. Its location, close to mainland China and to other possible flashpoints, like Taiwan, means that an important satellite base at Antelope would be very helpful for radar observation, air operations, and surface warship support.
A scholar based in Singapore, Collin Koh, has even argued that the Yagong construction is probably for a radar station built with the larger installation under construction to the south. Both a radar station on the islet and a runway and port on Antelope would provide a more integrated defense system. Has yet to publicly announce the ongoing phase of the work in detail. In the past, wheneverChina has undertaken similar builds, the country has maintained that the facilities are built for civil uses, including ‘maritime safety, search and rescue missions and scientific research. This criticism has come from.
