CHINA-SOUTH CHINA SEA: MILITARISATION OF REEFS
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The Washington-based think-tank 'Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative' recently reported that major construction on the Subi, Mischief and Fiery Cross reefs in the Spratly Islands are readying them for deployment of military assets. Stating that the construction is almost complete, it said "Beijing can now deploy military assets, including combat aircraft and mobile missile launchers, to the Spratly Islands at any time." The think-tank added that construction was underway on large underground structures that are likely to house munitions or other materials and said with the three airbases in the Spratlys and another on Woody Island in the Paracel Islands, China will be able to fly military aircraft over the entire South China Sea.
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