China appears to be expanding its military and strategic presence in the disputed South China Sea, with new installations spotted on a small islet near Antelope Reef, where Beijing is already carrying out what analysts describe as its largest base-building project in the region.
Satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters shows construction activity on Yagong Island, located about 14 kilometres northeast of Antelope Reef in the Paracel Islands. Analysts say the newly built structures could eventually serve as a radar or early warning facility supporting larger installations at Antelope Reef.
Satellite images reveal new construction
Commercial satellite imagery provider Vantor captured the latest image on August 17. The company said construction on Yagong Island appeared to have begun in March or April.
The new structures have a three-pronged layout, although their exact purpose remains unclear. Analysts studying the imagery said some of the buildings resemble radar and early warning facilities seen at other Chinese-controlled locations in the South China Sea.
A Vantor spokesperson said several structures on Yagong Reef appeared similar to military radar facilities elsewhere in the region and could be linked to the eventual military functions of nearby Antelope Reef.
Security analysts cautioned that it was too early to determine the precise purpose of the installations.
Antelope Reef at centre of Chinese expansion
The latest construction comes after Reuters reported that China had completed the first phase of development at Antelope Reef.
Satellite images showed an artificial island stretching nearly 6 kilometres, with a straight coastline extending for more than 3 kilometres. Some analysts believe the layout could eventually accommodate a runway.
Antelope Reef and Yagong Island are part of the Crescent Group in the western Paracels, an area that has become an increasingly important focus of China’s military and strategic activity.
The development has raised concerns among regional security analysts, who say the facilities could strengthen China’s ability to monitor and operate across the northern part of the South China Sea.
Radar facility could strengthen surveillance
Open source intelligence analyst Damien Symon, who monitors activity across the Paracel Islands, said a radar facility was possible but that there was not yet enough evidence to establish its function.
Singapore based security scholar Collin Koh similarly suggested that the structures could form an observation post, given their relatively limited scale.
However, he said a radar station was the more likely explanation.
If confirmed, such a facility could enhance China’s ability to detect and monitor aircraft and vessels operating across the surrounding waters.
China has not confirmed military use
Beijing has not acknowledged that it is constructing a new military base at Antelope Reef or that the Yagong Island installations have a military purpose.
Chinese state media have said Antelope Reef will serve civilian purposes, including weather forecasting, fisheries protection and scientific research.
China’s Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the latest satellite imagery.
Disputed waters remain a regional flashpoint
China has controlled the Paracel Islands since 1974, when it seized them from the navy of the former South Vietnam. Vietnam claims the entire island group and has also expanded its own network of facilities in the Spratly Islands further south.
The wider South China Sea is contested by several countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei.
The region is one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes and has become a major strategic arena involving China, the United States and their allies.
Security analysts say China’s continued construction of artificial islands and military related infrastructure could further alter the balance of power in the disputed waters and become particularly significant in any future regional conflict involving Taiwan.