An international think tank said on Monday that contrary to Chinese President Xi Jinping's statement that Beijing would not militarize the disputed Spratlys Islands in the South China Sea, recent satellite images show that China has built "reinforced hangars" on several islets capable of housing fighter jets of the People's Liberation Army air force.

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The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington-based research organization, said it collected and examined several satellite photographs which showed Beijing's construction of reinforced aircraft hangars on three reefs--Fiery Cross, Subi, and Mischief-- which all form part of the contested areas in the Spratlys Islands (referred to as the Nansha Islands in China).

The CSIS said that although no military aircraft was seen when the photos were taken, its analysis shows that the reinforced hangars on the three islets are large enough to hold fighter jets and bombers.

According to the CSIS, among the aircraft that could be housed in one of these hangars is China's H-6 bomber and H-6U refuelling tanker and a transport aircraft.

Military facilities

The center said that although China claims that the structures are purely for civilian aircraft and other non-military purposes, the size of the hangars in the photos belied Beijing's assertion and suggested that it has been building military facilities on the disputed islets.

Based on the photos, the size of the hangars, estimated to be 60-70 feet wide, is large enough to hold Beijing's largest fighter jets. The images also suggest that Beijing has been involved in structural strengthening of the facilities on the islets.

"They are far thicker than you would build for any civilian purpose," Gregory B. Poling, director of the center's Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, said on Monday in an interview. "They're reinforced to take a strike."

Bombers

One of the largest hangars was 200 feet wide, capable of holding China's bombers and refueling tankers, Poling emphasized.

Poling said if China decides to deploy these jets, it would likely worsen the situation in the South China Sea region and complicate the disputes with the Philippines and other claimant-countries.

He said the move would also push the US to deal with China's militarization of the region. US naval forces continue to conduct freedom of navigation patrols in the disputed waterway.

Arbitral court ruling

The photos of the hangars in the South China Sea were released less than a month after the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled that there is no legal basis to China's claims of "historic rights" over the contested maritime territory.

Beijing refused to recognize the jurisdiction of the court and did not participate in the proceedings, dismissing the verdict as "illegal," "null and void," and a "piece of waste paper."

The court said China violated the Philippines' rights to explore its exclusive economic zone by constructing facilities on the Mischief Reef.

Days after the verdict was handed down, Beijing conducted massive military drills in parts of the disputed South China Sea. Officials said the drills would train PLA troops to handle "security threats" and to safeguard its maritime rights and interests in the disputed area. 

Tagsreinforced hangars, spratlys, Mischief Reef, satellite photos, Center for Strategic and International Studies, china