China/South China Sea: China 'Sends Warning' With Release of Photographs of Disputed South China Sea Island

Oct 9, 2014 | Minnie Chan, South China Morning Post
View Original

China has released the first high-resolution photographs of a newly built runway on a disputed island in the South China Sea.

An analyst said the aim of publishing the photographs of the airstrip at Yongxing Island, or Woody Island, was to send a warning to Vietnam and the United States that China was strengthening its military presence in the area.

Beijing had also been angered by the United States announcement earlier this month that it was partially lifting its 40-year-old arms embargo on Vietnam, analysts said.