Beijing installs 'anti-frogman' rocket launchers on disputed island to ward off Vietnamese 'combat divers'
as tensions rise in the South China Sea
- New defence system has been built on Fiery Cross Reef in the South China Sea
- 'Anti-frogman' rocket launcher capable of finding and attacking enemy divers
- Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also claim disputed reef in Spratly Islands
Beijing has installed 'anti-frogman' rocket launchers on a disputed island to ward off Vietnamese combat divers as tensions continue to rise in the South China Sea region.
The defence system has been built on Fiery Cross Reef, which is administered by China but also claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan.
Chinese media clam the Norinco CS/AR-1 55mm anti-frogman launcher has the capability to discover, identify and attack enemy combat divers.
Beijing has installed 'anti-frogman' rocket launchers on the disputed Fiery Cross island (pictured) to ward off Vietnamese combat divers as tensions continue to rise in the South China Sea region
A satellite image from February shows what CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative says appears to be concrete structures with retractable roofs on the artificial island Fiery Cross reefs in the South China Sea
Beijing is continuing to build up its military in the disputed Spratly Islands despite criticism from the US.
China has said military construction on the islands it controls in the South China Sea will be limited to necessary defensive requirements, and that it can do what it likes on its own territory.
But America has stressed the need for freedom of navigation by conducting periodic air and naval patrols near them that have angered Beijing.
The state-run Defence Times newspaper did not say when the defence system was installed.
The Spratly Islands are claimed by Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines but lie along a sea route from Singapore to Shanghai which China sees as vitally important
But it said it was part of a response that began in May 2014, when Vietnamese divers installed large numbers of fishing nets in the Paracel Islands.
China has conducted extensive land reclamation work at Fiery Cross Reef, including building an airport, one of several Chinese-controlled features in the South China Sea where China has carried out such work.
More than $5 trillion of world trade is shipped through the South China Sea every year.
Besides China's territorial claims in the area, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Taiwan have rival claims.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments always welcome!