Satellite images show China may be building a high-power radar system on a disputed territory in the South China Sea, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

The head of the Washington-based CSIS Asian Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) said on Monday that images indicate the construction of a high-frequency (HF) radar installation on Cuarteron Reef, one of seven areas claimed by China through a massive land reclamation program in the South China Sea.

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"Cuarteron is the logical place for such an installation because it is the southernmost of China's features in the Spratlys, meaning it would be the best place if you wanted early warning radar to give notice of ships or planes coming up from the Strait of Malacca and other areas to the South such as Singapore, " AMTI chief Gregory Poling said in an e-mail to the Washington Post.

"High-Frequency"

Cuarteron Reef is controlled by China, but its authority over the area has been challenged by the Philippine government.  Manila has since expressed concern that Beijing would establish an air defense identification zone over the territory.

Poling said a HF radar facility at Cuarteron Reef would provide a tremendous boost to China's capacity to monitor approaching ships and aircraft, curtailing the US Navy's ability to conduct freedom of navigation operations in the area.

"This would be very important in the Chinese anti-access area denial strategy that sought to reduce the ability of the US to operate freely in the South China Sea in case of any future crisis in Northeast Asia," said Poling.

Other photographs supplied by the CSIS-AMTI to the Washington Post show China is building radar facilities on other islands in the Spratly archipelago.  Brunei, the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia have overlapping claims over the area.

"Right and Wrong"

"It is certainly possible to claim a civilian purpose, and China will," Poling wrote. "But just like you don't need a 3,000-meter runway to land civilian planes, you don't need a high-frequency radar (assuming that is what it is) to give early warning of commercial traffic."

The Chinese foreign ministry said on Monday that China's defensive posture in the Paracels is no different from the US military's deployment of weapons in Hawaii.

"Islands in the South China Sea have been part of China since ancient times," said Hua. "The Chinese side is entitled to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests."

Hua said the US is sensationalizing the issue, and accused Washington of gradually increasing its surveillance activities against countries in the region over the past few years.

"We hope that the US would not confuse right and wrong on this issue, still less play up and create tensions in the region," Hua said. "We urge the US to play a constructive role for regional peace and stability." 

TagsTerritorial disputes in the South China Sea, Spratlys Island, Freedom of Navigation