South China Sea disputes: China is building a massive airstrip on Fiery Cross Reef - TomoNews

Recent satellite images show China is building its first airstrip in the disputed Spratly Islands and may be working on a second airstrip, according to an analysis by defence journal IHS Janes.

Airbus Defence and Space satellite imagery taken on March 23 shows that China has created enough space on Fiery Cross Reef for a runway that is about 3,000 meters long. China began to turn Fiery Cross Reef into an island in late 2014.

Fiery Cross Reef lies to the west of the disputed Spratly Islands, an archipelago that is claimed in whole or in part by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

Fiery Cross Reef is called Yongshu by China, Kagitingan by the Philippines and Da Chu Thap by Vietnam.

Speaking at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hong Lei defended China's construction in the South China Sea as "reasonable" and "legal."

"The relevant construction is conducted within China's sovereign territory, it is reasonable, understandable and legal, and it is not targeting or affecting any other country," Lei said.

Other Airbus Defence and Space satellite imagery from March showed reclamation work on Subi Reef, which could also create space for another 3,000-metre runway.

Subi Reef is only 25 km away from Thitu Island, which is known as Pag-asa in Tagolog and which China calls Zhongye Island. Thitu Island is held by the Philippines and is home to a civilian population.

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