China ‘beefing up military’ on disputed islands in the South China Sea, says US think tank

Satellite images suggest China has upgraded its military ­infrastructure in the disputed ­Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, ­according to a US think tank.

The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Centre for Strategic and International ­Studies in Washington said on Wednesday that China now ­occupied 20 outposts in the ­Paracels, and that there had been an extensive military build-up on eight islands.

“Three of these now have ­protected harbours capable of hosting large numbers of naval and civilian vessels. Four others boast smaller harbours, with a fifth under construction at Drummond Island,” the group said on its website. “Five of the islands contain helipads, with Duncan Island housing a full helicopter base. And the largest of the Paracels, Woody Island, sports an airstrip, hangars and a [detachment] of HQ-9 surface-to-air missile batteries.”

The group said further expansion could help Beijing consolidate its presence and project its power in the region.

“Not all of China’s outposts in the Paracels currently house significant infrastructure, and many contain no more than one or two buildings … but the presence of small buildings and construction materials suggests China may be preparing to expand those features,” the group said.