SOUTH CHINA SEA WATCH: China seen building 3rd airstrip

[TexasTowelie]

Source: AP

The dispute over the strategic waterways of the South China Sea has intensified, pitting a rising China against its smaller and militarily weaker neighbors who all lay claim to a string of isles, coral reefs and lagoons mostly in the Spratly and the Paracel islands. Only about 45 of them are occupied. The area is one of the world's busiest shipping routes, rich in fish and potential gas and oil reserves, but it has now emerged as a possible flashpoint involving world powers and regional claimants.

A look at some of the most recent key developments:

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THIRD AIRSTRIP?

New satellite images taken in early September purportedly show construction for a third Chinese airstrip in the South China Sea, this time on Mischief Reef, which would be of particular concern to the Philippines.

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, which released the latest images, the potential runway would be just 21 nautical miles (39 kilometers) from the Philippine warship BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era tank landing ship that was grounded by the Philippines in 1999 and became an outpost for a contingent of marines at Second Thomas Shoal.

Read more: http://kdhnews.com/news/ap/south-china-sea-watch-china-seen-building-rd-airstrip/article_8a6d6db3-55c1-54b9-94d4-791a8820e02e.html

[davidpdx]

1. I saw an article about the warship BRP Sierra Madre

It's a very old rusted out ship sitting on the middle of a shoal with Philippine men keeping guard against the Chinese patrol ships, which have harassed them.

[Bonobo]

2. The video was very compelling too! Heroic! nt

[Joe Chi Minh]

3. Gosh to think a superpower would pull a stunt like that!

With apologies to former Mexican dictator, Porfirio Diaz: ('x' in 'Mexico' preferably pronounced the Mechkjcan way, as if clearing the throat).

'Poor wee islands in the South China Sea. So far from God, and so near to China.'

[7962]

4. They'll continue until someone stops them. So far its not happened.

MAybe someone should build their OWN little airstrip and show China 2 can play the same game