Satellite photos show China reclaiming land around disputed Mischief Reef

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This image provided by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) shows what it described as a chain of small artificial land formations as well as new structures, fortified seawalls and construction equipment on Mischief Reef, on March 16, 2015. Photo: Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative/Digital Globe

Published: 10:45am, 9 Apr 2015Updated: 3:53pm, 16 Apr 2015

Newly published satellite images show that China is quickly reclaiming land around a submerged reef within what the Philippines says is its exclusive economic zone, with several dredgers in operation and seawalls built.

The work on Mischief Reef is China’s most recent reclamation in the disputed Spratly archipelago of the South China Sea. Reclamation is well advanced on six other reefs in the Spratlys, Reuters reported in February, activities that have alarmed other claimants and drawn criticism from Washington.

A March 16 image published by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) shows what it said were a chain of small artificial land formations as well as new structures, fortified seawalls and construction equipment along Mischief Reef.

A platform at the southern entrance to the reef, on March 16, 2015. CSIS says the entrance has been widened to about 275 metres. Photo: Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative/Digital Globe

Several dredgers are also present while the entrance to the reef had been expanded, the CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative said on its website.

An image from February 1 showed a Chinese amphibious transport naval vessel about several hundred metres from the reef’s entrance. CSIS said such a ship was capable of holding up to 800 troops and as many as 20 amphibious armoured vehicles.

Surveillance photos taken of Mischief Reef in October showed no reclamation work.

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