China Stations Weapons In South Sea Islands

With the recent discovery that the Chinese are deploying artillery to at least one of the islands, it appears extremely likely that the Chinese intend to use the artificial islands as support areas for the invasion of nearby islands held by other countries. The mobile artillery vehicles seen on the island are of little worth against enemy ships or aircraft, but could be used to shell troop positions on nearby islands. The presence of such vehicles on the island are likely more of a declaration of intent, as the warships and aircraft present in the area are much more capable combat platforms for the sort of warfare that would occur in the South China Sea.

Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter called for the Chinese to halt construction of the islands this week, stating that the United States would not respect illegitimate claims of territory in the South China Sea. Carter’s comments came after a US Navy P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance/anti-submarine aircraft flew over the Chinese held Fiery Cross Reef, now being converted into an island. Such a warning was clearly meant for China, despite claims from Washington that it was not aimed at any particular nation.

The South China Sea has been the subject of a long standing territorial dispute between the nations in the region, chiefly China, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The Paracel and Spratly island chains in the South China Sea are suspected to be rich in natural resources and the sea itself serves as a major shipping route and fishing grounds. Lately, the Chinese, whose “nine dash line” claim on the area is by far the largest out of all the nations laying claim to the South China Sea, have begun to enforce their claims on the South China Sea by reclaiming land from the sea to create artificial islands. The artificial islands are created by means of dumping sand onto reefs and covering the sand with concrete. As the Chinese expanded into the South China Sea late, all the islands were claimed by other regional powers. The Chinese came up with a way around the deficiency; create their own islands. In 2012, the Chinese government saw control of the South China Sea as a vital element of foreign policy and decided to enforce their claims to the area. Previously, China and Vietnam had come to blows over the Paracel and Spratly islands twice in 1974 and 1988; the naval skirmishes resulted in China gaining control of the Paracel Islands and the Johnson South Reef near the Spratlys.

The Philippine government feels threatened by the construction of Chinese-controlled islands close to their shores, and has sought a ruling by the UN Tribunal on the Law of the Sea ruling in an attempt to stop China from building islands. However, the Chinese have rejected the Philippine’s government’s argument and have continued on with the island building program. Maintaining a permanent air base in the South China Sea, in addition to their existing carrier battle group, could allow for China to deny the strategically important area to American fleets as the US Pacific Fleet frequently travels through the South China Sea. This is troubling news, especially when taken with the recent reveal that China intends to develop a blue water navy capable of projecting power in the Pacific.

Though the Chinese claim that the building of artificial islands is completely lawful and justified as they do not target any particular country, American officials have cautioned against China upsetting the balance of power in the region, which has benefited all nations.