China: China is building an airstrip in a disputed South China Sea island claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan. AP News Agency has claimed this after analyzing the pictures taken from the satellite. The construction work has been witnessed by the presence of Chinese troops on Triton Island.
The ongoing work on Triton in the Paracel Islands mirrors the construction of seven man-made islands in the Spratly Islands to the east. Which is equipped with airstrips, docks, and military systems. China claims the entire South Sea as its own, while other neighboring countries reject its claim. Due to this, there is an atmosphere of tension in this area.
AP News first learned about the runway construction in early August when it analyzed satellite photos taken by Planet Labs PBC. The runway currently under construction is over 600 meters long. This is sufficient for turboprop aircraft and drones but cannot land jets and bombers.
Triton is equidistant from the coast of Vietnam and the island province of Hainan, China. The US continues to send its naval ships here under the right of free navigation. China has not given any details of the construction work here. He has denied any militarization.