South China Sea Reported Chinese Military Buildup Expands
Satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters shows China is expanding its military infrastructure in the Paracels, with new installations on Yagong Island near Antelope Reef suggesting the early stages of a large base and possible radar/early-warning facilities. Separately, imagery indicates China is advancing a new Type 004 aircraft carrier at Dalian and an even larger artificial island in the South China Sea equipped for a runway, hangars, docks and defense systems.
World · 7 sources · Aug 25, 2026Read itThe journal
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About Type 004 aircraft carrier
The Type 004 aircraft carrier is an upcoming class of supercarriers for the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy. The yet-unnamed lead ship of the class has been under construction at the Dalian Shipyard since 2024,. It is the fourth aircraft carrier of the Chinese aircraft carrier programme and the third to be built from the keel up by China itself.
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