China reportedly building island big enough for airstrip in South China Sea


Satellite images purportedly showing Chinese construction of an island in the South China Sea have raised new concerns about the disputed waters, Reuters reports.
Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei all also claim the area, and the new construction could derail negotiations between the claimants. Defense publication IHS Jane's said the images show that China has built an island on the Fiery Cross Reef that is nearly two miles long and "large enough to construct a runway and apron," while an attached harbor is "large enough to receive tankers and major surface combatants."
Beijing has previously ignored calls from Washington to cease construction activity in the South China Sea.
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Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
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