China building fake islands by dumping sand on coral reefs as it claims South China Sea, says US

[Geee]

UK Independent:

China is creating a “great wall of sand” as it takes land in the disputed South China Sea, and could be preparing to launch further grabs of territory, according to the commander of the US’s navy in the area.

 

Admiral Harry Harris Jr told a naval security conference in Australia that “China is building artificial land by pumping sand on to live coral reefs — some of them submerged — and paving over them with concrete. China has now created over 4 square kilometers [1.5 square miles] of artificial landmass”.

 

The new land is next to some of the most beautiful natural islands in the world, but "in sharp contrast, China is creating a great wall of sand with dredges and bulldozers over the course of months," Harris said.

 

Chinese-made structures stand on the Johnson Reef, called Mabini by the Philippines and Chigua by China, in the Spratly Islands in South China Sea Chinese-made structures stand on the Johnson Reef, called Mabini by the Philippines and Chigua by China, in the Spratly Islands in South China Sea