Vietnam is extending its runway on an island in the South China Sea also claimed by Beijing, according to fresh images likely to irk the regional superpower.
Hanoi has lengthened the runway on Spratly island from less than 2,500’ (760m) to 3,300’, the US-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) said in a report, citing images from early November that appeared to be from a satellite.
Vietnam will likely extend the runway to 4,000’ in total, added the monitor, which is a project of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
Communist Vietnam is also building two large hangars capable of hosting its maritime surveillance aircraft and transport planes, AMTI reported.
Beijing claims most of the South China Sea.
It has reclaimed reefs and built airstrips capable of hosting large military planes, sparking anger from competing claimants led by Vietnam and the Philippines.
Hanoi and Beijing have traded diplomatic barbs over disputed island chains and waters in the sea.
Tensions have eased slightly in recent months but the issue remains incendiary on both sides.
In 2014 China moved a controversial oil rig into contested territory, prompting riots in Vietnam though tensions have simmered in recent years.
“Even amid reduced diplomatic tensions, Vietnam continues to modernise its military and seek closer security ties with Japan, the United States and India in preparation for future Chinese assertiveness in disputed waters,” AMTI said in its report published on Tuesday.
Hanoi did not respond to a request for comment yesterday, but Beijing issued a customary rebuke and asserted its claim over the disputed Spratly chain, which it calls the Nansha islands.