PLAN SCS Bases/Islands/Vessels (Not a Strategy Page)

Thanks for the photo update, A.Man. Do you know when it was taken? There are big developments on Woody Island. They are extending the runway and merging the two older harbors and reclaiming more land along the runway. They are probably use the coral and rock dredged from the old harbors for the new land. There's also a lot of construction along the northern edge of the island, including what looks like a reservoir. Another reservoir appears on the western edge of the island near the south of the runway.

Blackstone said:

And Vietnam thinks China will hand that over to them, just by whining and whimpering? Seriously?

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I don't think Vietnam has asked for these islands to be handed over as such

China is building up naval bases in and around South China to give them a spring board a stepping stone for further operations it will save them some sailing time if going far and wide also can do a quick stop either repair or replenishment

It's like a forward deployed naval base not so based forward as such but still a few hundred kms less sailing saves time and money

Question really is can a Y-20 cargo land there

A.Man said:

Photo Update: Woody Island

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The island is being improved significantly over what it was a few years ago.

They are turning it into a major base, from which they can use vessels and aircraft to solidify their claims and intrests in the region.

No once should doubt, based on the visual evidence alone, the PRC's commitment to their interests in the SCS.

asif iqbal said:

I don't think Vietnam has asked for these islands to be handed over as such

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Then what's the point of Vietnam claiming SCS territories, including Woody Island? Why would a nation claim land occupied by someone else, if not to get it back somehow?

Blackstone said:

Then what's the point of Vietnam claiming SCS territories, including Woody Island? Why would a nation claim land occupied by someone else, if not to get it back somehow?

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You hit the core with wording. For now they're doing it the same way as China does in few other cases. They won't give up the rights and maybe someday, someday... they will get a chance to grab it. Giving it up now means that the chance is gone forever. And that's all behind this logic. No need for further discussion when obvious things are obvious.

Interesting to compare an earlier picture of the island with the current.

First, the earlier (over four years ago):


...and now more current/recent:

On the left side of the picture it looks they're adding to the existing runway. There are more roads, buildings, and a deeper harbor on the right side of the island.

Equation said:

On the left side of the picture it looks they're adding to the existing runway. There are more roads, buildings, and a deeper harbor on the right side of the island.

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And it looks like they lengthened the runway on the right side as well.

Jeff Head said:

Interesting to compare an earlier picture of the island with the current.

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Great comparison, want to add another pic to show the evolution.

2010​

2012​

2014​

asif iqbal said:

I don't think Vietnam has asked for these islands to be handed over as such

China is building up naval bases in and around South China to give them a spring board a stepping stone for further operations it will save them some sailing time if going far and wide also can do a quick stop either repair or replenishment

It's like a forward deployed naval base not so based forward as such but still a few hundred kms less sailing saves time and money

Question really is can a Y-20 cargo land there

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It reduces at least 150 miles if not more of distance to be covered by a ship or plane from Hainan. Factor in the return trip and that's at least 300 miles shaved off. That's 300 more miles that can be used for loitering in an engagement area. If they continue to extend the runway, a Y-20 should be able to land. I'm wondering if that reclaimed land on the northeastern end of the runway will become an airbase? Could station fighters, fighter-bombers, ASW planes, and reconnaissance planes there. Would make a great platform if a SCS ADIZ were to be established.

On the new combined harbor, could potentially have a forward deployed flotilla stationed there. Maybe a mix of 056s and 053H3s? A few CG cutters as well. Or if they dredge it deeper some more (provides material to reclaim land on the other side as an incentive), maybe even station a Yuan or two? Would definitely give the Vietnamese Kilos a challenge.

The smaller harbor on the western end could be the civilian harbor where supply ships, scientific ships, etc could dock. I wonder where the infrastructure pieces such as power plant, sewage, water are being built - the northern side appears to be more isolated and fit for them.

I really think this island is becoming more and more the Diego Garcia for China.

Geographer said:

There's also a lot of construction along the northern edge of the island, including what looks like a reservoir. Another reservoir appears on the western edge of the island near the south of the runway.

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Reservoirs right along the ocean? Wouldn't that cause salinity contamination? Maybe they are more like aquaculture ponds? To help increase self-sufficiency and less reliance on supply ships?

I wouldn't be surprised within 2 years, the whole atoll would be reclamated. It will increase the land area from originally ~2.1 km2 (210 hectares) to easily ~6 km2 (600 hectares)