China builds new military facilities on South China Sea islands, says US think tank

China has built new military facilities on islands in the South China Sea, a US think tank reported on Thursday, a move that could raise tensions with Washington, which has accused Beijing of militarising the vital waterway.

The Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, part of Washington’s Centre for Strategic and International Studies, said new satellite images show missile shelters and radar and communications facilities under construction on Fiery Cross, Mischief and Subi Reefs in the Spratly Islands.

The United States has criticised China’s build-up of military facilities on the artificial islands and is concerned they could be used to restrict free movement through the South China Sea, an important trade route.

A US Navy warship sailed within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef last month in a so-called freedom of navigation operation, the first such challenge to Beijing’s claim to most of the waterway since US President Donald Trump took office.

China has denied US charges that it is militarising the sea, which also is claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Trump has sought China’s help in reining in North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes and tension between Washington and Beijing over military installations in the South China Sea could complicate those efforts.