China Continues Paracels Military Build-Up With New Installations on Islet
Satellite imagery shows new construction on Yagong Island, 14 km from Antelope Reef, where analysts say China is developing what could become its largest military base in the disputed South China Sea.
New installations have appeared on a small island close to Antelope Reef in the Paracels, extending a Chinese construction drive that analysts say could reinforce Beijing’s military position in the northern South China Sea.
Satellite imagery taken on August 17 shows a three-pronged development on Yagong Island, about 14 km northeast of Antelope Reef. Earlier imagery indicates construction began in March and April.
The site's function remains unclear. Security analysts said its configuration could mark the beginning of an early-warning radar installation linked to future facilities at Antelope Reef.
Possible Radar Role
Vantor, the commercial satellite imagery provider, said some structures on Yagong resemble military radar and early-warning facilities elsewhere in the South China Sea.
“Several structures on Yagong Reef resemble other military radar/early warning facilities seen elsewhere in the South China Sea and are likely associated with the ultimate military functions of nearby Antelope Reef,” a Vantor spokesperson said.
Open-source intelligence tracker Damien Symon said radar was one possibility but cautioned that the available imagery did not yet allow a firm conclusion.
Singapore-based security scholar Collin Koh said the limited scale could point to an independent observation facility, although he assessed that it was “most likely a radar station, if I can make an educated guess”.
Antelope Reef Development
The construction comes as work advances at nearby Antelope Reef, where China has completed the first phase of a much larger project.
Satellite imagery shows an artificial island stretching almost 6 km. One section of coastline runs in a straight line for more than 3 km, a configuration some analysts believe could accommodate a runway.
Yagong is considerably smaller and lies within the same Crescent Group in the western Paracels.
Regional security analysts and military attaches assess that development across the area is more likely to consolidate China’s military position in the northern section of the South China Sea.
Beijing Cites Civilian Uses
China has not publicly acknowledged constructing a new military base at Antelope Reef.
Chinese state media have instead said the development will support civilian functions including weather forecasting, fisheries protection and scientific research.
The Chinese defense ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Disputed Archipelago
China has controlled the Paracels since 1974, when it seized the islands from the navy of the former South Vietnam. Vietnam claims the entire archipelago.
Hanoi has also expanded its own base network in the Spratly Islands farther south.
The Spratlys and surrounding waters are claimed in whole or in part by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei.
The Vietnamese foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The latest construction around Yagong adds another element to the broader build-up surrounding Antelope Reef, as new infrastructure emerges across a strategically contested section of the South China Sea.