-
Advertisement
South China Sea
ChinaDiplomacy

What’s important about Antelope Reef in the South China Sea’s Paracel Islands?

Reports of extensive reclamation work on the once-submerged feature have prompted questions about its strategic value to Beijing

3-MIN READ3-MIN
2
Listen
Antelope Reef, part of the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. Photo: Handout
Vanessa Caiin Shanghai
In January, the US-based magazine Newsweek reported that China had started dredging sand on an obscure feature in the Paracel Islands, the disputed archipelago known as Xisha by the Chinese and Hoang Sa in Vietnam.
More recent satellite images suggest that China has significantly expanded its reclamation, with the once-submerged Antelope Reef appearing to have a substantially larger surface area.
The reef, one of more than 30 islands that make up the Paracels in the South China Sea, is claimed by Beijing – where it is known as Lingyang Jiao – as well as Taipei and Hanoi. It is also called Da Hai Sam by the Vietnamese.

Citing European satellite imagery, the Newsweek report said dredging began sometime after October 15 and was concentrated along four sites on the eastern and southern sides of Antelope’s lagoon.

Advertisement

Additional land appeared to have been reclaimed on either side of the current outpost and adjoining port facility on the reef.

Beijing has not confirmed the reports or commented on the matter. The Chinese foreign ministry has been contacted for comment.

Strategic importance

Antelope Reef’s significance lies in its location – about 300km (185 miles) from the port of Sanya, on the southernmost tip of the Chinese island province of Hainan, and about 400km from Da Nang on the Vietnamese coast.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x