In January, the US-based magazine Newsweek reported that China had started dredging sand on an obscure feature in the Paracel Islands, the archipelago known as Xisha by the Chinese and Hoang Sa in Vietnam.
More recent satellite images suggest that China has significantly expanded its reclamation, with the once-submerged Antelope Reef appearing to have a substantially larger surface area.
The reef, one of more than 30 islands that make up the Paracels in the South China Sea, is claimed by Beijing – where it is known as Lingyang Jiao – as well as Taipei and Hanoi. It is also called Da Hai Sam by the Vietnamese.
Based on European satellite imagery, the Newsweek report said dredging began sometime after October 15 and was concentrated along four sites on the eastern and southern sides of Antelope’s lagoon.
Additional land appeared to have been reclaimed on either side of the current outpost and adjoining port facility on the reef.
Beijing has not confirmed the reports or commented on the matter. The Chinese foreign ministry has been contacted for comment.
Strategic importance
Antelope Reef’s significance lies in its location – about 300km (185 miles) from the port of Sanya, on the southernmost tip of the Chinese island of Hainan, and about 400km from Da Nang on the Vietnamese coast.
