China is rapidly expanding two artificial islands in the disputed Paracel Islands, with analysts saying the new facilities could strengthen Beijing’s military reach towards Vietnam and along key South China Sea shipping routes.
In just a few months, China has transformed two previously unused sandbanks into artificial islands bearing the hallmarks of military installations. After building around 20 outposts across the South China Sea since 2013, Beijing has resumed construction in waters disputed by several of its neighbours, notably Vietnam.
