China is very busy expanding into the South China Sea - from Defense One
Now China’s Fake Island Has a Farm
China is clearly militarizing in the strategic South China Sea—causing international alarm and increased defense spending among neighbors. But as it asserts its claim to the region, it’s also throwing some softer elements in amid the militaristic buildup—including lighthouses, a tourist resort, and a hospital. The latest awkwardly placed civilian outpost is a farm.
The farm sits upon a manmade island that China has built atop the contested Fiery Cross Reef, according to a new report (link in Chinese) in the state-owned news portal Xinhua. About 500 livestock have been raised there—including pigs, chicken, and geese. There’s a vegetable garden covering about 4,000 square meters. There’s even a fish pond.
And not just vegetables:
Meanwhile on Woody Island, in the contested Paracel islands, China is planning resorts that will host weddings and diving trips. In February, satellite images revealed missile launchers being deployed on the very same island. We can see the ad copy now: “Just like the Maldives—but with missile launchers.”
Yikes - meanwhile everybody over here is riled up about which toilet to use. Classic case of misdirection.
Our Secretary of State is in China right now - what is he doing about this?
Leave a comment