[International] China Suspected of Building Military Facilities on Small South China Sea Island; Vietnam Lodges Strong Protest

Reuters recently reported that China is suspected of building a military base on an island in the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. Vietnam stated today (28th) that it has protested to China regarding this matter and demanded the cessation of related activities. On the 25th, Reuters reported based on satellite imagery that new facilities have appeared on Yagong Island (called Ba Ba Island by Vietnam) near Antelope Reef in the Paracel Islands. Analysts believe this could be the beginning of establishing early warning radar facilities. Pham Thu Hang, spokesperson for the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated regarding China's construction of military facilities on Yagong Island, "Vietnam strongly opposes such activities, has lodged a solemn protest (to China) and reiterated its position, demanding immediate cessation and that it must not happen again in the future." Vantor, a commercial satellite imagery provider, stated that satellite images show construction on Yagong Island began in March or April. Although the purpose of these buildings is still unknown, their appearance is "similar to military radar/early warning facilities seen elsewhere in the South China Sea" and is likely related to the eventual military use of the nearby Antelope Reef. An artificial island nearly 6 kilometers long has been formed on Antelope Reef, which some analysts believe could be used as a runway. In 1974, China seized the Paracel Islands from the then-South Vietnam and has occupied them to this day. Vietnam claims sovereignty over the entire archipelago and has also taken action in recent years to expand its network of bases in the more southern Spratly Islands. As of press time, China's Ministry of National Defense has not responded to Reuters' request for comment. (Editor: Chung Chin-lung)