[ad_1]
China’s military build-up has been exposed after aerial photos captured the full extent of Beijing’s power. Pictures taken by Getty photographer Ezra Acayan from near disputed reefs and rocks which have been converted into bases appear to show Beijing’s heavy mobilisation.
Beijing had previously claimed the islands were developed for navigation purposes.
However, the photographs serve as further evidence that China is expanding its armed forces into contested waters.
According to the Telegraph, the photos have provided fresh details of the People’s Liberation Army facilities on Mischief Reef, Gaven Reefs, Subi Reef, Cuarteron Reef, Fiery Cross Reef and Hughes Reef – all outcrops militarised by China.
The reefs and rocks are also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.
JUST IN: North Korea launches possible ‘ballistic missile’ as Ulleung-gun activates air raid alarm
Tom Shugart, a researcher at The Center for a New American Security, concluded that the images showed naval gun emplacements and a battery of radars to defend the territories.
He told the Telegraph: “My guess is that the sea-facing garages are for angled cruise missile launchers.”
Images appeared to show a pair of Type 022 Houbei class catamaran fast attack missile craft and even a KJ-500 early warning and control aircraft.
Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Radio Free Asia that the latter suggested the PLA is “still regularly flying aerial patrols off the islands”.
Beijing has also posed a persistent threat to Taiwan as China put forward a reunification pledge in September.
Taipei said it will never allow Beijing to “meddle” in its future.
[ad_2]
