China takes over nearby islands and turns them into military bases

Satellite photos taken by the Israeli company ImageStat reveal how China has been taking over islands and undergoing heavy construction to make them into military bases in an area rich with oil and gas.

Satellite photos taken by the Israeli company ImageStat reveal how China has taken over a series of islands along China’s coast, islands which do not even belong to China, for military purposes. The photos, which were published this morning (Wednesday), give an indication of China’s military strengthening under the radar of world leaders.

The company described these developments as “secret Chinese imperialism” in the sunken islands, which are slightly underwater. China now holds four islands in the heart of the South China Sea. One of these islands called Cross Fieri Reef is described by ImageStat as “the largest ocean construction project in the world at this moment, perhaps ever."  

The island was previously the site of an old Chinese military base, which was built upon pillars above water. The once small and rickety base has turned into a wide fortress, with arrangements to build a seaport and airport.

Construction on the island Photo Credit: ImageStat / Channel 2 News

The company’s analysis is based on the findings of an Aerospace industry B Eros satellite, a satellite of high resolution, which can film any point of the world. Last July, the satellite detected ships on the other side of the island, a few kilometers from the old military base. In August, the beginning of construction was detected along a half-a-kilometer strip of the Island.

China later increased its construction efforts, sending five ships to the island for pumping and transportation purposes. ImageStat estimates that the Island has grown to about four square kilometers, following a Chinese investment of billions of dollars. Construction efforts on the island take place around the clock. Photos from January depict a massive advancement in construction, which includes filling the heart of the island with sand in preparation for further expansion of the island. Photos taken four days ago show a coastal strip being cleared off for a landing field and seaport.

"Secret Chinese imperialism" Photo Credit: ImageStat / Channel 2 News

30% of worldwide sea shipping goes through the part of the ocean where these islands reside. In recent years, oil and gas deposits were discovered there. Thus, claims for ownership of the area means not only the islands, but the economic waters surrounding them. ImageStat estimates that the vast investment in the islands is a long-term one, in order to establish China’s control over the gas and oil reserves.