Beijing’s island-building projects in the South China Sea might be much larger than previously thought, according to a US Pentagon report.
The report said that as of June, China had reclaimed 1,174 hectares of land — by piling sand on reefs in the Spratly Islands (Nansha Islands, 南沙群島) — up nearly 50 percent from May.
As recently as three months ago, the US Department of Defense believed China had claimed just 809 hectares.
“Washington fears that the islands will be used for military purposes and could create instability in one of the world’s biggest commercial shipping routes as China lays claim to what several other countries see as international waters,” the Wall Street Journal said.
The newspaper said that Pentagon officials believe that as China’s assertiveness grows, the risk of conflict with the US and its allies grows along with it.
The report “The Asia-Pacific Maritime Security Strategy” was ordered by Congress and comes a month before Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) is due to visit Washington.
“Rapid military modernization across the Asia-Pacific region has significantly increased the potential for dangerous miscalculations or conflict,” it said.
It said that many countries are significantly enhancing their maritime law enforcement capabilities as China is asserting sovereignty over disputed areas.
According to the report, China is modernizing every aspect of its maritime-related military law enforcement capabilities, including its naval surface fleet, submarines, aircraft, missiles, radar capabilities and coast guard.
At the same time, the report said that Beijing is developing high-end technologies intended to dissuade external intervention in a conflict and designed to counter US military technology.
“Although preparation for a potential Taiwan conflict remains the primary driver of Chinese investment, China is also placing emphasis on preparing for contingencies in the East and South China Sea,” it said.
The report said that the Pentagon is working to ensure continued freedom of the seas, deter conflict and coercion and promote adherence to international law.
“We are strengthening our military capability to promote stability and respond decisively to threats,” it said.
The report added that the US is leveraging military diplomacy to promote trust and stability.
The report said there should be no doubt that the US will maintain the necessary military presence and capabilities to protect “our interests and those of our allies and partners against potential threats.”
It said the US maintains 368,000 military personnel in the Asia-Pacific region and that over the next five years the US Navy will increase the number of ships assigned to the Pacific Fleet outside of US territory by 30 percent.
By 2020, 60 percent of naval and overseas air assets would be “home-ported” in the Pacific region, it said.
Tropical Storm Gaemi strengthened into a typhoon at 2pm yesterday, and could make landfall in Yilan County tomorrow, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The agency was scheduled to issue a sea warning at 11:30pm yesterday, and could issue a land warning later today. Gaemi was moving north-northwest at 4kph, carrying maximum sustained winds near its center of up to 118.8kph and gusts of 154.8kph. The circumference is forecast to reach eastern Taiwan tomorrow morning, with the center making landfall in Yilan County later that night before departing from the north coast, CWA weather forecaster Kuan Shin-ping (官欣平) said yesterday. Uncertainty remains and
SEA WARNING LIKELY: The storm, named Gaemi, could become a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, with the Taipei City Government preparing for flooding A tropical depression east of the Philippines developed into a tropical storm named Gaemi at 2pm yesterday, and was moving toward eastern Taiwan, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Gaemi could begin to affect Taiwan proper on Tuesday, lasting until Friday, and could develop into a moderate typhoon on Wednesday or Thursday, it said. A sea warning for Gaemi could be issued as early as Tuesday morning, it added. Gaemi, the third tropical storm in the Pacific Ocean this typhoon season, is projected to begin moving northwest today, and be closest to Taiwan on Wednesday or Thursday, the agency said. Today, there would likely
DISRUPTIONS: The high-speed rail is to operate as normal, while several airlines either canceled flights or announced early departures or late arrivals Schools and offices in 15 cities and counties are to be closed today due to Typhoon Gaemi, local governments announced last night. The 15 are: Taipei, New Taipei City, Taoyuan, Tainan, Keelung, Hsinchu and Kaohsiung, as well as Yilan, Hualien, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Chiayi, Pingtung, Penghu and Lienchiang counties. People should brace for torrential rainfall brought by the storm, with its center forecast to make landfall on the east coast between tonight and tomorrow morning, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. The agency issued a sea warning for the typhoon at 11:30pm on Monday, followed by a land warning at 11:30am yesterday. As of
CASUALTY: A 70-year-old woman was killed by a falling tree in Kaohsiung as the premier warned all government agencies to remain on high alert for the next 24 hours Schools and offices nationwide are to be closed for a second day today as Typhoon Gaemi crosses over the nation, bringing torrential rain and whipping winds. Gaemi was forecast to make landfall late last night. From Tuesday night, its outer band brought substantial rainfall and strong winds to the nation. As of 6:15pm last night, the typhoon’s center was 20km southeast of Hualien County, Central Weather Administration (CWA) data showed. It was moving at 19kph and had a radius of 250km. As of 3pm yesterday, one woman had died, while 58 people were injured, the Central Emergency Operation Center said. The 70-year-old