South China Sea
FILE – In this photo provided by Chad Fish, the remnants of a large balloon drift above the Atlantic Ocean, just off the coast of South Carolina, with a fighter…
FILE – In this undated file photo released by the Taiwan Ministry of Defense, a Chinese PLA J-16 fighter jet flies in an undisclosed location. China’s military sent 71 planes,…
(Bloomberg) — China is building up several unoccupied land features in the South China Sea, according to Western officials, an unprecedented move they said was part of Beijing’s long-running effort…
The Biden administration calls China the most consequential strategic competitor for the United States now and for decades to come. One major source of tension is Taiwan, which is supported…
Visitors tour past military vehicles carrying the Dong Feng 41 and DF-17 ballistic missiles at an exhibition highlighting President Xi Jinping and his China’s achievements under his leadership, at the…
Former President Donald Trump discusses the Democrats’ policies, the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and oil prices during his interview on the ‘Brian Kilmeade Show.’
Fox News senior strategic analyst Gen. Jack Keane (ret.) argues there’s ‘no sense of urgency’ in the Biden administration as State Secretary Blinken warns of China’s plans to seize Taiwan…
Gatestone Institute Senior Fellow Gordon Chang joined ‘Fox & Friends First’ to discuss concerns surrounding heightened tension between China and Taiwan and what signals the beginning of the next global…
Two United States Navy warships are sailing through the Taiwan Strait, in the first such transit since China carried out the largest-ever military drills around Taiwan, following US House Speaker…
China’s property market is “imploding”, Judo Bank Economic Advisor Warren Hogan says. China recently announced it would be cutting its key interest rates at a time when most of the…
Retired Air-Vice Marshal Sean Bell speaks to Sky News about the growing tensions between China and Taiwan.
During her visit to the United States, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for strengthening the transatlantic alliance in the face of the threat posed by Russia. The United States…
The ‘Outnumbered’ panel discusses Nancy Pelosi landing in Taiwan and China’s new threats against the United States.
Taiwan government sources say that US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi WILL visit the self-governing island. Pelosi has not commented on the possible trip, but some officials say they expect her…
In this photo provided by Ministry of Communications and Information, Singapore, U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, left, and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong shake hands at the Istana Presidential Palace…
FILE – House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., speaks at the Capitol in Washington, July 21, 2022. U.S. officials say they have little fear that China would attack Pelosi’s plane if…
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez arrives for the NATO summit in Madrid, Spain, on Thursday, June 30, 2022. North Atlantic Treaty Organization heads of state will meet for a NATO…
A model of India’s BrahMos missile is shown on display at a trade show in the United Arab Emirates. (Staff) MELBOURNE, Australia — The Philippines has signed a contract with…
U.S. President Joe Biden, center, attends a working lunch with other G7 leaders to discuss shaping the global economy. The Group of Seven leading economic powers are meeting in Germany…
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Australian government has reached out to Beijing to raise concerns over what he described as a “dangerous maneuver” between a Chinese fighter jet and…
President Joe Biden speaks during a news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Akasaka Palace, Monday, May 23, 2022, in Tokyo. SEOUL — President Biden said Monday that…
A display case of photos is seen outside the Chinese Embassy in Honiara, Solomon Islands, April 2, 2022. Australia’s Minister for International CANBERRA, Australia: (AP) — Australia and the United…
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, who is due to meet with China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi in Rome on Monday, warned Beijing that it would “absolutely” face…
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison accused Beijing of an ‘act of intimidation’ after a Chinese navy vessel directed a laser at an Australian military surveillance aircraft last…
USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) The F-35’s stealth technology would have been a prize for China. The U.S. Navy has begun to make plans to recover the F-35C fighter jet…
Taiwan’s president on Saturday urged China to curb its “military adventurism”, with tensions between the two sides at their highest level in years. Beijing has ramped up military and diplomatic pressure…
(Bloomberg) — The Philippines signed a deal to purchase two corvettes from Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., beefing up its defense capabilities in a region that has become more militarized…
The German Navy Frigate Bayern, docked at the International Cruise Terminal, in Tokyo, Japan. November 5, 2021. © Reuters Germany’s naval chief has said the country’s recent deployment of a…
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen poses for photos from the cockpit during a ceremony to commission into service 64 upgraded F-16V fighter jets at an Air Force base in Chiayi in…
© Associated Press-Andy Wong Xi Jinping China’s military buildup and its push to develop nuclear-capable missiles is unnerving Congress and U.S. defense officials alike. America’s defense establishment has watched threats from…
This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows a building on rail tracks in Ruoqiang county, China, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. Satellite images appear to show China has built mock-ups…
The U.S. Navy Seawolf-class fast-attack submarine USS Connecticut (SSN 22) is seen in an undated file photo provided by the U.S. Navy. / Credit: U.S. Navy/Thiep Van Nguyen II A…
China has issued stiff condemnation over the revelation of a U.S. nuclear submarine was in the South China Sea after the vessel collided with an unknown object. The USS Connecticut made contact with an object while submerged…
© EKATERINA ANISIMOVA/Getty The Russian “50 Years of Victory” nuclear-powered icebreaker is seen at the North Pole on August 18, 2021.Russian state media have reported that Russia’s defence ministry is looking…
In this photo provided by U.S. Navy, the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723) returns to U.S. Naval Base in Guam, Aug. 19, 2021. Australia’s Prime…
FILE PHOTO: A crude oil tanker is docked at Isla Oil Refinery PDVSA terminal in Willemstad on the island of Curacao, February 22, 2019. REUTERS LONDON/SINGAPORE/MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – A…
FILE PHOTO: An Indigenous Defense Fighter (IDF) fighter jet and missiles are seen at Makung Air Force Base in Taiwan’s offshore island of Penghu, September 22, 2020. REUTERS SEOUL (Reuters)…
Japan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso, wearing a protective face mask, delivers his policy speech at the opening of an ordinary session of the parliament in Tokyo,…
New tunnels and roads are being carved out in the toughest terrains of the Himalayan region As relations remain tense between India and China over border disagreements, New Delhi is…
A Chinese Ilyushin Il-76 taxies into position at the Royal Australia Air Force Base Pearce in Western Australia. (Courtesy of the Australian Defence Department) MELBOURNE, Australia – Malaysia has released…
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A close-up of a heliport under construction in Rutog County.
On volatile border between India and China, a high-altitude military buildup is underway
Construction crews are now scattered around Ladakh as Indian authorities speed up their infrastructure race with China.
An overview of a heliport under construction near Aksai Chin Lake, in a region administered by China but contested by India, on May 28.
An overview of a heliport under construction in Rutog County in the Ngari Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, on Nov. 28.
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Runway
China is expanding the construction of its facilities on Fiery Cross Reef. Provided by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), this June 28, 2015 photo reveals Beijing has nearly completed a 3,000 meter (9,800-foot) airstrip, long enough to accommodate most Chinese military aircraft. Two h...
Expansion
Reclamation on Fiery Cross Reef, which lies on the west side of the Spratly Islands, began in August of 2014 and its principal landmass was finished by November. Dredgers have created a land mass that spans the entire existing reef and is approximately 3,000 meters long and 200-300 meters wide.
Facilities
This picture taken last November shows construction work being carried out on Fiery Cross Reef. The reef reportedly already houses a helicopter landing pad, a 300-meter-long wharf, a harbor large enough to dock military tankers, barracks and artillery emplacements.
South Johnson Reef
This reef was one of the first facilities to finish principal land reclamation. This recent picture shows that a radar tower is nearing completion at the north end of the land mass. According to AMTI, a new large multi-level military facility has been built in the center of the island. Up to six sur...
A naval base?
Beginning in early 2015, Mischief Reef - also located in the Spratlys - has undergone extensive reclamation activity. Experts say that the recent widening of the southern entrance to the reef, coupled with sightings of Chinese navy vessels, may suggest a future role for the reclaimed reef as a naval...
From reef to island
Significant construction on Gaven Reef began in 2014, with a total of 114,000 square meters of land already created. Satellite pictures show just how fast construction has progressed on the reef. A new artificial island was created between March (left) and August (right) 2014.
Troop garrison
According to AMTI, China has had a troop garrison on Gaven Reef since 2003, which has included a large supply platform where ships can dock. Experts say a new main square building in the reef appears to be an anti-aircraft tower.
A standardized process
As seen in this image, the basic process of expanding these features involves dredging sand from the seafloor and dumping it onto the reefs. The structure is raised above the high water line, hiding the status of the bank or reef beneath. The sand is then smoothed out and workers surround the island...
'Historic rights'
China claims most of the potentially energy-rich waterway, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. The US Pacific Fleet commander recently said China was "creating a great wall of sand" in the South China Sea, causing serious concerns about its territorial intentions. Beijin...
Territorial disputes
The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also have overlapping claims, which have led to territorial disputes in the area. Last summer, China's deployment of a massive oil rig in waters also claimed by Hanoi escalated tensions in the region, sparking a standoff at sea and violent anti-C...
US concerns
Washington is concerned China's efforts carry a military dimension that could undermine the US' naval and economic power in the Pacific, and has weighed sending warships and surveillance aircraft within 12 nautical miles of the new artificial islands. Washington has repeatedly called on Beijing and ...
Ecological impact
The Philippines filed a formal plea at the UN last year, challenging Beijing's territorial claims. Manila said China's reclamation activities are causing "irreversible and widespread damage to the biodiversity and ecological balance of the South China Sea." It also claimed that the destruction of co...
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