New images of China’s man-made islands show details about Chinese military buildup in the South China Sea. They reveal “fully militarized” bases equipped with airstrips, fighter jets, artillery and radar stations.

Since 2013, China has reclaimed 3,200 acres of land on the Spratly Islands, according to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. In 2015, Xi promised that this construction would not “target or impact any country and there is no intention to militarize.”

Satellite photos prove this wrong.

Photographer Ezra Acayan took photos of six islands on October 25: Mischief Reef, Gaven Reef, Subi Reef, Cuarteron Reef, Fiery Cross Reef and Hughes Reef.

https://twitter.com/eacayan/status/1585489546048724992

• Fiery Cross Reef is one of the most developed islands, with aircraft hangars, an airfield, radar stations and new structures that may house missile launchers.

https://twitter.com/eacayan/status/1585489525035347968

• One photo showed a KJ-500 airborne early warning and control aircraft, which “confirms that the pla is still regularly flying aerial patrols off the islands,” said Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative.
• 10,000 officers and soldiers are stationed on the islands, according to Recorded Future, a private U.S.-based cybersecurity company.

Six years ago: In an article titled “China Is Steering the World Toward War,” Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote:

China is claiming the entire South China Sea as its own!

By building artificial islands atop coral reefs in the Spratlys, and installing surface-to-air missile batteries in the Paracels, China is building a new strategic sea gate. After passing through the Strait of Malacca, oil tankers and other ships pass between the Spratly and Paracel Islands on the way through the South China Sea.

Whoever controls these vital sea gates controls one third of the world’s maritime commerce.

Mr. Flurry’s 2016 article is even more relevant today. Read it here to understand more about China’s plan in the South China Sea.