China's Beautiful Sansha in South China Sea

[TaiShang]

S.China Sea airfield will boost navigation safety, aid maritime research
By Wang Haiqing & Chen Jipeng
Source:Xinhua Published: 2016-1-10 21:48:58

China's testing of a newly built airfield on Wednesday on Yongshu Jiao, a reef in the South China Sea, is nothing more than an effort by the country to better serve the needs of the great many vessels and seafarers using one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

The test, with the airport itself signifying a breakthrough in ocean exploration for humankind, calls for a break from the mind-set of geographical competition.

The airfield would provide benefits due to its convenient location on a reef in the middle of a vast sea, and would also help facilitate maritime research and conservation.

To begin with, China does not even have a need to reaffirm its sovereignty over the island in the way some have claimed since its sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and the adjacent waters is indisputable and self-evident.

It will by no means undermine the regional peace and stability, either. Instead, it will greatly enhance the safety of the vessels on the vast South China Sea by facilitating search and rescue, disaster prevention and reduction, and research and conservation from a Chinese land base.

Some 100,000 vessels from various countries and regions sail through the South China Sea each year, accounting for about 50 percent of the world's commercial shipping. Safety and security are a concern for those navigating this area, which is known for its rough waters and often aggressive pirates.

When the MH370 flight carrying 239 people went missing in March 2014, it took the rescue vessels and aircraft quite some time to arrive at the places initially believed to be where the flight went missing in the vast sea. A land base like Yongshu Jiao could have significantly reduced the time it took the rescuers to arrive there, experts say.

The first few hours are often critical for maritime search and rescue operations and there are obvious advantages of having a land base nearby.

Moreover, records show China has traditionally been charged with providing public services on the Nansha Islands such as radio stations, observatories and lighthouses. Yongshu Jiao, which literally means the reef of eternal summer, saw the establishment of an ocean observatory by China in 1988 as part of an international effort led by the UNESCO.

Over the past 27 years, China has used the observatory, part of the Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS), to provide oceanographic and meteorological data to the World Meteorological Organization. Its emergency alert service has made a significant difference too.

With the airfield on Yongshu Jiao, China can provide what the ships and seafarers need urgently - another lifeline. The Chinese government has made it clear that there would be a runway conforming to civil aviation standards and other upgraded facilities aimed at facilitating search and rescue, disaster prevention and reduction, and navigation safety.

In a break from the mind-set of geographical competition, such a land base in the middle of a vast sea would also serve public good by enabling research and conservation efforts that would otherwise be impossible.

China has always upheld and practiced a policy of peace and development. The airfield shouldn't be a cause of concern for anybody.

There has never been, and will not be, any problem concerning the freedom of navigation and over-flight in the South China Sea that all countries are entitled to under international law, after all.

***

 

[ahojunk]

Now, the pirates have less places to hide in the South China Sea.

 

[oprih]

The world is getting smaller and smaller for the pirates, they need to give up already.

 

[ahojunk]

Scholars Say China's Test Flight on Nansha Reef Legitimate
2016-01-07 15:15:36 Xinhua Web Editor: Mao Yaqing

People pose for a group photo together after landing at the airfield on Yongshu Jiao in the Nansha Islands, Jan. 6, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua/Xing Guangli]

The Chinese government on Wednesday successfully conducted a test civil flight to an airport on Yongshu Jiao of China's Nansha Islands to ensure the safety of the airport for large airliners and provide options for new alternate airfields and more flexible and cheaper transoceanic flight routes. Scholars and media in many countries believed that the activity falls completely within China's sovereignty and other countries have no right to interfere, noting that China's move to fulfill its international responsibilities and commitments will be helpful for development and peace in the region.

Li Zhuohui, an Indonesian political analyst, said that the South China Sea is busy waters for commercial navigation, while peripheral countries frequently see natural disasters.

China's construction of airfields, ports and telecommunications facilities on islands and reefs in the South China Sea will offer convenience to passing merchant ships and be beneficial to humanitarian operations in countries in the region, such as natural disaster relief, Li said.

Yang Baoyun, a professor at Thailand's Thammasat University, said that islands of the South China Sea have been China's territories since ancient times and China's construction activities on the islands are legitimate.

What China has built on the islands are mainly civil facilities, which meet requirements of international organizations and institutions and reflect China's fulfillment of its responsibilities as a major country, Yang said.

By building facilities for purposes such as navigation and meteorological observation, China may provide more public services for other economic activities like maritime traffic and transportation and fishing, said Yang.

Li Renliang, a professor at Thailand's National Institute of Development Administration, said that the civil facilities and infrastructure built by China on the Nansha Islands, such as meteorological and environment monitoring facilities, will help offer aid under any emergency circumstances.

South China Morning Post quoted observers as saying that the new airport built by China will be mainly used for civil purposes, most importantly for resources exploration and environment protection.

Ramesh Chopra, an Indian strategic analyst, believed that China's test flight to the new airport on Yongshu Jiao falls within China's sovereignty and has not hindered the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.

Therefore, other countries have no right to interfere, said Chopra.

Huang Xiaoming, professor of international politics with Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, said that it was not unexpected that China's test flight on Yongshu Jiao evoked groundless censure from certain countries.

In fact, some countries outside the region have not abandoned their efforts to seek alliance with relevant countries in the region to contain China, said Huang.

An Airbus 319 from China Southern Airlines departed from Haikou, Hainan, at 8:30 a.m. (00030 GMT) and arrived at the the Yongshu Jiao airport at 10:20 a.m. (0220 GMT) on Wednesday.

A Boeing 737 from Hainan Airlines arrived 20 minutes later. The two aircraft flew back to Haikou on Wednesday afternoon.

 

[ahojunk]

China's Laudable Endeavor to Build Safe Havens for All on South China Sea
2016-01-07 17:46:36 | Xinhua | Web Editor: Mao Yaqing

China's southernmost airport, built on a reef in the South China Sea, embodies the country's aspirations to significantly improve emergency-readiness in the area.

The newly-built airfield on Yongshu Jiao, Nansha Islands, meets civil aviation standards and can accommodate large and medium-sized aircraft, as proven by the successfully landing and taking-off of an Airbus 319 and a Boeing 737 there on Wednesday.

The huge undertaking by China to build an airfield fit for civil aviation in the middle of a vast sea deserves applause, since the engineering feat promises to bring unprecedented benefits not only to Chinese island dwellers but also to the large number of trade vessels travelling in the area.

China's construction activities on South China Sea, which by the way are all within its sovereignty, aim to build a series of safe havens to better protect human lives and property that are often vulnerable in the rough seas.

Harbors, navigation-supporting facilities, upgraded search and rescue services, maritime meteorological services and fishing services will be available to serve both Chinese and foreign vessels following the projects' completion.

It is regrettable that China's goodwill to upgrade rudimentary public services in the South China Sea has also become a reason for protest for some countries.

However, it is worth noting that these countries seized control in the 1970s of what is rightfully China's territory, and are increasingly ganging up against China without any consideration to regional peace and stability.

China has long exercised restraint in the South China Sea. Instead of resorting to force to take back the illegally occupied territories, China has made it clear that it hopes to resolve the disputes via bilateral talks.

The approach, which partially derives from China's resolve to uphold peace and stability in the region and beyond, should by no means be misinterpreted as a sign of weakness. < By making unsavory comments on China's bid to build safe havens for all in the Sea, the countries concerned have revealed their own pettiness and shortsightedness.

 

[TaiShang]

GT reporter takes a rare trip to Yongxing Island, seat of China’s southernmost city
By Guo Yuandan in Sansha
Source: Global Times
Published: 2016-4-19 19:50:50



Four years after China established the city of Sansha in the South China Sea's Xisha archipelago, the Global Times reporter landed on Yongxing, the main island. With its untapped tropical resources, the military presence and civilian facilities in China's southernmost city have improved quickly.

Chinese soldiers guard Yongxing Island in the South China Sea. Photo: Guo Yuandan/GT


Yongxing Island, the largest in the Xisha archipelago, is more than 180 nautical miles from Sanya, South China's Hainan Province. The island serves as the seat of the Sansha city government, which was established in 2012 under the administration of Hainan.

Last Monday evening, a Global Times reporter boarded a ship and set off from Sanya. After 12 hours of high-speed sailing, they arrived on Yongxing the next morning. Right now, only people invited by the government or military can travel to Yongxing.

From the pier, one can see a set of black wooden pegs, where ships can be docked. A few tall coconut trees form a natural protective screen. Some houses sit behind the trees, one of which has a sign hung from its roof, emblazoned with military slogans.

There are also a few pavilions on the pier. Everybody on the island is welcome to rest there without going through checks or carrying ID.

The military camps are also open. There are only guards in front of important departments and all the other facilities are open to the public. Island dwellers can enjoy the medical resources of the military hospital, or see the famous "general forest," which consists of coconut trees planted by the national leaders and generals who have visited the island over the years.

Besides the pier, another facility that's been in the spotlight is the airport. The airport is still under construction, but it's not as strictly guarded as one might think. It's clear the airport is designed for both military and civil purposes.

The convergence can also be seen in its design - because the island lacks fresh water, in order to collect rain water, the runway and aircraft parking space are designed to have a slight slope. After rainwater is collected, the military purifies it and provides it to the residents.

Residents of Yongxing consist of government staff, military troops, policemen, fishermen and construction workers, with tourists dropping by now and then. The island has everything, a government, a commercial bank, a post office, a school, a residential committee, WiFi and even stray dogs. The restaurants have red lanterns hanging by their doors and hammocks stretch between coconut trees.

However, because the small island is far away from the mainland, most daily necessities need to be transported there and can be expensive.

The only school on the island, Yongxing School, proves how small Sansha is. It's the southernmost school in China and was established in 2015. The school has a kindergarten, first grade and third grade classes and 27 students, all of whom are fishermen's children. Li Ruyin is 8 years old and told the Global Times her father owns a barbecue shop and her mother cleans the streets.

Students attend a class at Yongxing Elementary School. Photo: Guo Yuandan/GT


Protecting the right

According to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Daily, the ratio of soldiers to civilians is three to one on the Yongxing Island.

Zhang Yao, 24, has been serving on the island ever since he joined the army when he was 17. Standing at a boundary marker with a rifle in hand, Zhang told the Global Times that the road the reporters were walking across used to be a small dirt road, but now it has been transformed into a wide seawall highway, which is nearly 1 kilometer long and about 5 meters wide.

The tremendous improvement was achieved through the efforts made by Chinese naval officials and soldiers. In December 2015, PLA Navy Commander Wu Shengli summed "the spirit of Xisha and Nansha islands as well as the spirit of nuclear submarines" as the Chinese navy's spirit, which is to "listen to the Party's command and be loyal to the Party; be able to win the battle and fight the hard battle; maintain strict discipline and serve the people; love the ship, the islands and the sea."

As the Xisha Islands lack fresh water, there is a "rainwater squad" which consists of soldiers who are responsible for collecting rainwater, purifying it and then sharing fresh water. Back in 1999, a rainwater purifying reservoir was built in the region. Since then, the soldiers have purified more than 1.2 million tons of rainwater, which is equal to 66.67 million 18 liter barrels of water.

There is another well-known squad called the "Lei Feng squad," named after a Chinese role model for selflessness. They help civilians on the islands repair their household appliances, cars and machinery as well as aid them if they are in danger when fishing.

For tourists, the scenery on the islands is splendid. But for people actually living there, they have to face high temperatures, high humidity, high salinity and water shortages. In the summer months, the male soldiers don't wear their white summer uniforms. A soldier explained that this is because the white clothes stain easily and they don't have enough water to wash them.

Liu Tang, a commander of a naval garrison on the Xisha Islands said that during their daily training, the armed forces carry out air defense maneuvers, practice repelling landings and perform other military drills.

"Recently, because the US frequently played little tricks in the South China Sea, the soldiers' initiative and consciousness of training become even stronger. They want to train. While the intensity and the difficulty level of training is higher, they complain less," Liu told the Global Times.

Despite their devotion to training, China has paid great attention to protecting the ecosystem on the islands.

Wang Xianzhong, an engineer with Yongxing's navy, told the Global Times that the solders have grown trees and other vegetation.

When the country and the Party's leaders and the military generals visit the islands, they plant a coconut tree. Now there are more than 1,400 coconut trees. Catching turtles and picking coral is forbidden. Some household garbage is transported to the mainland for disposal. There is also a sewage disposal system on the island.

Aside from making contribution to island construction, officials and soldiers also have a good command of international law. Staff officer Jin Lei is familiar with the clauses of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which he said is the law most frequently used by the Chinese navy in the South China Sea.

Jin said that the US has a long history of using international law. Although China started late, now it can "use the law for our purposes."

He recalls that in the past, they only took photographs of foreign ships which were hard to use as evidence. "Now when we find the other side's vessels, we will use the Beidou navigation system installed on our vessel to report our location and the other side's and then record the whole situation and each other's heading course in video. Then it will be easier to judge who violated the international law," Jin said.

For those foreign ships which illegally fish in China's waters, Jin said "we will report them to coast guard, maritime department and let the public service ships deal with them."

Yongxing Island at night. Photo: Guo Yuandan/GT


Confidence

In February, several American media outlets reported that China has placed two batteries of eight surface-to-air Hongqi-9 missiles and radar on Yongxing Island, and accused China of "further militarization" in the region.

In response, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MOD) told the Global Times on February 17 that "China has deployed sea-air defense in the related islands and reefs for years. The speculation of Western media is purely them repeating the 'China threat'."

At a museum set up by the troops, the history of the Xisha Islands including the invasions of France, Japan and Vietnam are recorded.

On Yongxing, there stands other physical evidence which marks Chinese ownership of the Xisha Islands, including a monument erected on November 24, 1946 by Zhang Junran, a lieutenant of the naval command of the then Republic of China government.

In 1945, Japan announced its unconditional surrender. According to the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, in September 1946 the Chinese government organized a navy formation to recover the Xisha Islands and other South China Sea islands.

Zhang was adviser of the formation and joined the recovery. Later, he was appointed as the first director of the management office of Xisha Islands, according to the PLA Daily.

In January 1974, the Chinese navy launched a war of self-defense and counterattack, recapturing the Xisha Islands after they were occupied by South Vietnam.

Beside the monument, there's a cannon tower that was built by the Japanese. Climbing it and taking in its panoramic views, its hard to imagine the conflict that took place here in the past.

The Yongxing School lies peacefully on the Beijing Road. On the exterior wall of Li Ruyin's classroom on the second floor is written "Sovereignty Sansha, Beautiful Sansha and Happy Sansha." Li said she loves her life there. "I like it here. The sea is beautiful and has three colors, white, green and blue," the girl said proudly.

Yongxing itself is like a picture, embodying "the past and present, war and peace, and capable to fight to stop war."

However, the US has made frequent patrols with excuse of "free navigation" in the South China Sea and even held large-scale military drills in the area with some countries, which has fueled regional tensions.

A soldier said Xisha's peace has been broken by the increasing presence of foreign fleets. According to Jin Lei who always takes on the combat readiness duty, the duty is very tense as the emergencies are becoming more often. But he appears more confident.

"The equipment has been renewed, including new types of missile corvettes and frigates. Aside from the fleet, air deployment has also increased. With the use of information facilities, I feel more and more confident," he said.

 

[Daniel808]

Welcome to China's Paradise
Sansha City, Yongxing Island

A little boy shops in a supermarket on Yongxing Island, south China's Hainan Province. A ceremony marking the inauguration of Sansha, China's southernmost city, took place Tuesday on Yongxing Island. The island, the largest of the Xisha Islands and in the South China Sea, is the seat of the municipal government of the newly established archipelago city. (Xinhua/Hou Jiansen)

 

[Jlaw]

Jin said that the US has a long history of abusing international law. Although China started late, now it can "use the law for our purposes."

That's what GT was trying to say but mistype.

 

[sweetgrape]

It will be a good resort, keep constructing, improve the facilities, many Chinese are waiting for having a good time there,

 

[qwerrty]

nice paradise for Chinese fishermen

 

[TaiShang]

Right now only those holding Chinese (Mainland) citizenship are able to travel there in groups.

Maybe in near future people from other areas of the Greater China will be allowed to visit the paradise.

At least, there is Hainan!

 

[xunzi]

The Hainan naval base is right there. Any emergency, we will be able to respond immediately. It is the safe side on development as far as I can tell.

 

[+4vsgorillas-Apebane]

More development like this is needed right up to the edges of the nine dash line. Yongxing island is still too close to the mainland.

 

[TaiShang]

Rescue vessel eyed for the Nansha Islands

Crew members of the Nanhaijiu 118 conduct a rescue drill on May 11. [China Daily]​

China is considering deploying an advanced rescue ship that could carry drones and underwater robots to the Nansha Islands this year to help ships in trouble, including foreign vessels.

Chen Xingguang, political commissar of the ship Nanhaijiu 118, under the Ministry of Transport's South China Sea Rescue Bureau, told China Daily of the plans.

"Our bureau is planning a duty post in the Nansha Islands, with a ship based there. This will possibly be carried out in the second half of the year," Chen said, without specifying which island the ship will be based at.

Wang Wensong, captain of the Nanhaijiu 118, said the ship proposed for the mission might be bigger than his 3,700-ton vessel and will be equipped with advanced rescue facilities. "It might carry drones and underwater robots," Wang said.

The bureau was involved in the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which disappeared more than two years ago on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

Wang said it was decided after this mission to develop underwater search capabilities.

He said the bureau has 31 ships and four helicopters to cover rescue work in the South China Sea. Other forces, such as the military, may join rescue efforts.

"The international shipping routes near the Nansha Islands are very busy. Such a big area means quite a number of ships could get into trouble," the captain said.

The South China Sea boasts one of the world's busiest shipping routes, with about 40 percent of global cargoes shipped annually passing through these waters. It also attracts many fishermen, who can be vulnerable in frequent typhoons.

Zhang Zengxiang, deputy head of the Shipping Division at the Maritime Affairs Bureau in Sansha, Hainan Province, said the proposed base station will help with rescue work in the southern South China Sea.

"The main difficulty in rescue work around the Nansha Islands is the long distances," he said, adding that the Nanhaijiu 118, built last year, has to sail for nearly two days to reach the Nansha Islands from the Xisha Islands.

He also said the distance is too great for helicopters, the most efficient way to save lives at sea. The main way to handle accidents in the area at present is to arrange for vessels passing by to help.

Wang Qingjian, a captain who has fished in the Nansha Islands for 34 years, said, "The new station will greatly help fishermen."

Wang Wensong, the captain, said: "We will try our best to save any vessel sending distress signals in waters under our jurisdiction, no matter which country a vessel is from — even it is from a country that has territorial disputes with China, or a country without diplomatic relations with us. These are not problems."

Beijing has promised to develop its search and rescue capabilities in the South China Sea to "provide necessary assistance" to both Chinese and foreign ships.

In 2006, Wang, then first officer of the Nanhaijiu 111, worked with other Chinese rescuers to search a vast area after a typhoon, and located 22 Vietnamese fishing ships at Hanoi's request. They rescued and helped 330 Vietnamese fishermen.

Wang said the growing number of rescue forces in the South China Sea will help with China's Belt and Road Initiative and business worldwide.

"Shipping is the major way to send cargo, and a guaranteed international route is good news for all countries."

The Nanhaijiu 118 takes part in a drill off the Xisha Islands on May 3. [China Daily]​

A helicopter rescue team takes part in a life saving exercise on Thursday. [China Daily]​

 

[TaiShang]

Lighthouses at 2 reefs in Nansha to operate soon
CRI, June 7, 2016

It's been reported that lighthouses on two reefs in the South China Sea will be put into use at the end of the year.

Photo taken on Oct. 9, 2015 shows a lighthouse on Huayang Reef of China's Nansha Islands. [Photo: Xinhua]


Workers are stepping up the construction of the two lighthouses on Meiji and Yongshu reefs.

They were designed to provide navigation services such as positioning reference and navigation safety information to ships in the vicinity.

The lighthouse on Meiji Reef is over 60 meters high and is the tallest of all the structures on the Nansha Islands.

It has a range of over 20 nautical miles.

Meanwhile, a modern hospital will also be completed on Yongshu Reef later this month.

In April, China finished the construction of a lighthouse on Zhubi Reef, also in the South China Sea area.