The United States has intensified its rhetoric concerning the South China Sea, accusing China of constructing an airstrip on the Xisha Islands, a move that experts believe is aimed at expanding US hegemony in the region and undermining stability.
According to a report by the Associated Press on Thursday, satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC suggest that Beijing is building a runway on Zhongjian Island of the Xisha Islands, similar to previous construction activities on islands in the Nansha Islands.
Chen Xiangmiao, director of the world navy research center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, stated that the supposed airstrip construction is actually a repair of infrastructure damaged by natural disasters. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin affirmed that Zhongjian Island is an integral part of China’s territory, and the country’s activities on its own land are legitimate.
Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US State Department, Vedant Patel, claimed that China’s actions interfere with navigational rights and freedoms of all states. However, experts argue that the US is exploiting the term “navigational rights” for political purposes, attempting to assert its maritime influence and pressurize China.
Experts believe that the US’ recent accusations are aimed at pressuring China, creating new tensions, and increasing China’s diplomatic costs. The US is also using the situation to sow regional discord.
Chen noted that the length of the runway on Zhongjian Island suggests it is likely intended for navigational safety and public maritime services rather than military purposes. It could serve as a platform for various activities, including the use of drones for monitoring and helicopters for emergency maritime search and rescue operations.