Jakarta –
Satellite photos reveal that China seems to be building an airstrip on the island South China Sea named Tritron. The island is still disputed and also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan.
As quoted detikINET from the Associated Press, work on Triton Island is concurrent with construction on seven other nearby man-made islands, which have been equipped with airfields, wharves and military systems.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea as its own. The country rejects the other side’s claims and opposes international decisions.
Analyzing satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC showing the construction of the airstrip was first spotted in early August. The runway is expected to be more than 600 meters long, long enough to accommodate turboprops and drones, but not fighter jets or bombers.
Also visible are a large number of vehicle lanes on most of the island, along with containers and construction equipment. Triton is one of the main islands in the Paracel island group.
The US regularly sends Navy ships near Chinese-controlled islands. Triton is the focus of one of those missions in 2018.
China has had small harbors and buildings on the island for years, as well as helipads and radars. Two large squares on the island feature stars from the Chinese flag.
On the other hand, Gregory Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, said their initial analysis did not point to a possible runway. There is no evidence yet on the apron, taxiway or other infrastructure to suggest the work was for an airport.
“It’s too short, too thin, invisible like any airstrip China has built anywhere in the South China Sea. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but I don’t see any hard evidence,” he said.
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(fyk/rns)
2023-08-17 14:08:14
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