Satellite Imagery used for surveillance

There are approximately 3,000 satellites operating in Earth orbit so it wasn't surprising when Airbus Defence and Space released satellite images revealing China building an airstrip on reclaimed land across Fiery Cross Reef  in disputed territory in the South China Sea.

China's land reclamation work in the area has understandably,  had other Asian nations including Vietnam and the Philippines' worried - they believe China's motives to be for military use.

With other imagery taken in March also showing China could be building a second airstrip-capable island on Subi Reef.  China’s island building at Fiery Cross Reef has created a landmass that is capable of housing a runway about 3,000 m long - this would be well within the parameters of existing People’s Liberation Army Air Force runways on mainland China, which vary in length from about 2,700 m to 4,000 m at most.




Airbus Defence and Space imagery shows runway construction underway at Fiery Cross Reef.

The 23 March imagery of Fiery Cross Reef also shows further dredging on the new island’s southwestern side, close to the extant platform that China originally built on the reef. The imagery also shows floating cranes consolidating the integrity of new island’s harbour by placing concrete blocks on the interior walls; an exterior sea wall has also been extended, presumably to provide better protection for ships in port.

However, China refuted Philippine President Benigno Aquino's recent accusation that China is building on islands in the South China Sea was "unreasonable" and the Philippines' occupation was the root cause of disputes between the two countries.

For the full story http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32331964