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| China's Artificial Island built on Fiery Cross Reef |
By Patricia Lourdes Viray
MANILA, Philippines — Recent satellite images released by a Washington-based think tank appear to show that China has nearly completed its weapon structures on three of its artificial islands in the South China Sea.
The CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) confirmed earlier reports that Beijing is near completion of structures that will house surface-to-air missile systems on Fiery Cross (Kagitingan), Mischief (Panganiban) and Subi (Zamora) Reefs in the Spratly Islands.
The deployment of weapon systems to China's three largest outposts in the Spratly Islands, which are also being claimed by the Philippines, would keep with its efforts to extend its defense capabilities throughout the so-called nine-dash line, the AMTI said.
Satellite imagery taken on Nov. 2, 2016 and again on February 7 show eight of the buildings being constructed on each of the three outposts.
Read the full story at PhilStar << Images