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China Completes First Phase of Construction on Large Artificial Island at Antelope Reef

The People's Republic of China has finished the first phase of construction on a nearly 1,500-acre artificial island at Antelope Reef in the Paracel Islands. Satellite imagery reveals that the reef has been transformed from a submerged area into a man-made outpost featuring a deep-water port, a 2,000-foot quay, and the beginnings of a 10,000-foot military-grade runway. The construction, which took place over 10 months of nonstop dredging, shows the PRC's ability to rapidly reclaim land and build infrastructure. While the PRC claims the island will serve commercial and civilian purposes, it is positioned as a strategic military outpost to extend radar and surveillance coverage in the South China Sea. The island currently features an administrative headquarters on its eastern tip, supported by temporary concrete plants. This development marks a significant step in Beijing's campaign to militarize the region. The new base will facilitate persistent aerial patrols and forward deployment of Coast Guard and militia forces, strengthening China's maritime domain awareness and territorial claims.

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