China completes 600-hectare artificial island in South China Sea
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Chinese builders and dredgers have completed the main phase of a new artificial island in the South China Sea, creating a landmass of about 600 hectares in the Paracel Islands. Satellite imagery from Vantor shows the reef was transformed in just 10 months. The island is now the largest Chinese-held feature in the entire South China Sea.
Key Facts
- The reclaimed land covers approximately 600 hectares, making it potentially the largest Chinese feature in the Paracel Islands and the entire South China Sea.
- The island stretches nearly 6 kilometers, with a straight coastline of over 3 kilometers on its northwestern side suitable for a heavy aircraft runway.
- A 680-meter pier has been built, and the reef lagoon has been converted into a deep-water harbor capable of sheltering large Chinese Coast Guard vessels and supply ships.
- Satellite imagery shows more than 50 gray-roofed structures, a helipad, a concrete plant, and mobile power stations on the island.
- Vietnam, which has disputed the Paracel Islands since 1974, says the construction violates international law.
Construction Scale
OSINT researchers first detected soil movement and dredger activity near the reef in late 2025. Within less than a year, the seabed relief changed dramatically, with the reclaimed land extending about 6 kilometers. The northwestern part of the island has a straight coastline of more than 3 kilometers, which experts say is ideal for a full runway for heavy aircraft and strategic bombers. The total reclaimed area is about 600 hectares, making it the largest Chinese-held feature in the South China Sea.
Infrastructure and Port
According to PortNews, a 680-meter pier has been built on the island. The reef lagoon has been converted into a deep-water harbor capable of accommodating and servicing large Chinese Coast Guard ships, supply vessels, and maritime militia. Satellite images show more than 50 gray-roofed structures, a helipad, foundations for a large administrative or warehouse facility, a dedicated concrete plant, and mobile power stations.
Strategic Significance
Experts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Lowy Institute say Beijing has resumed large-scale island expansion for the first time since 2017. PLATracker military analysts say the new facility could play an important role for China if tensions around Taiwan escalate. The island would allow China to control approaches to the Bashi Channel and extend the coverage of air defense, electronic warfare, and radar surveillance systems toward Vietnam and the Philippines. Vietnam has disputed the Paracel Islands since 1974 and says the construction violates international law. Chinese state media and experts say the facility is for civilian purposes, including hydrometeorological monitoring, maritime safety, and search and rescue.
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China completes 600-hectare artificial island in South China Sea
