During 2017 China built 290,000 square meters (29 hectar­es) of facili­ties on South China Sea reefs and island­sBEIJING: China’s large-scale land reclamation around disputed reefs and shoals in the South China Sea is “moving ahead steadily”, state media has reported, and is on track to use giant “island-builders” to transform even more of the region. Push for South China Sea code stirs ASEAN suspicions about Beijing’s endgameThe projects have “completely changed the face of the South China Sea’s islands and reefs”, the report said. During 2017 China built 290,000 square meters (29 hectares) of facilities on South China Sea reefs and islands, including underground storage, administrative buildings and large radar installations, the report said. Britain plans to send warship to South China Sea in move likely to irk Beijing“To improve the livelihood and work conditions of people living on the islands, and strengthen the necessary military defences of the South China Sea within China’s sovereignty, China has rationally expanded the area of its islands and reefs,” it said. Sansha lies on Woody Island in the Paracel chain – which is also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan – and administers much of China’s claims in the South China Sea.

Source: The Express Tribune December 25, 2017 10:30 UTC