What are these man-made structures in the South China Sea?

April 3, 2017 2:15 PM

location 1, location 2
posted by cyclicker to Travel & Transportation (6 answers total)

Best answer: Chinese military bases on artificial islands I believe. See more here.
posted by GuyZero at 2:23 PM on April 3, 2017 [5 favorites]

Best answer: Location 2 appears to be Mischief Reef
posted by JoeZydeco at 2:25 PM on April 3, 2017 [2 favorites]

Best answer: First one is Hughes Reef, per this WP article on the development of the Spratly islands.
posted by stobor at 2:44 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]

Among other things, they're a way to a) increase the size of China's exclusive economic zone in the SCS, and b) a way to effectively restrict and reduce freedom of navigation for ships (naval and commercial) in that part of the ocean. But yes, the Spratlys.
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 3:26 PM on April 3, 2017 [1 favorite]

Google News
posted by intermod at 9:45 PM on April 3, 2017

Spratly Islands. See also Nine Dash Line
posted by moiraine at 1:37 AM on April 4, 2017