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<< An aerial shot of the Johnson South Reef in the South China Sea taken between late June and early July 2014. (Internet photo)
China's proactive campaign to claim most of the South China Sea has taken another step forward after satellite images revealed that six reefs in the disputed Spratly Islands have been effectively turned into islets through land reclamation activities over the last six months, reports our Chinese-language sister paper Want Daily.
Since February, China has been busy sending construction teams to various reefs in the Spratlys, which are effectively controlled by China but also claimed by the Philippines. Sources have revealed that six of the reefs–Johnson South, Gaven, Cuarteron, Fiery Cross, Hughes and Eldad–have been transformed into islets, with all but the Eldad Reef given specific "birthdays" in July by Chinese authorities.
Satellite images of the Johnson South Reef from July indicate that China has added a new pier and planted coconut trees along with other new infrastructure such as roads and buildings, turning the once predominantly rocky and sandy reef into an apple-shaped white island. Google Earth images from late June still revealed a significant amount of construction equipment on the islet.
Read the full story at Want China Times