The Philippine government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and senior military officials in the country stated that China’s reclamation of land in the disputed area in the South China Sea particularly the Mabini (Johnson South) Reef can be used to build an airstrip or even an offshore military base.
DFA Secretary Charles was quoted as saying in an interview that “Judging from the other structures put up by China in the South China Sea, we can safely presume they are for military purposes,” the Secretary stated.
The DFA revealed earlier the buildup of China in the Mabini Reef, as the Chinese brought equipment to the area and reclaimed the area since the year 2012 as noted by the DFA.
Meanwhile a forum website, the South China Research Forum (nhjd[.]net) posted some images showing what observers call “massive construction” on the Mabini Reef also known as Chigua Reef in China.
Based upon the photo posted on their nhjd[.]net website, a ship carrying gravel or sand was spotted on the area, there are concrete mixing plants, earth-moving machinery such as a large crane, fuel or liquid tanks, a vessel which appears to be a housing unit for workers and a Chinese frigate as a support ship.
According to some members of the forum which support’s China’s claims, they anticipated that a “very modern facilities” will be built on Mabini standing on land area “several times larger than the original reef.”
Here’s some photos of the Mabini Reef Reclamation Project: (Photo Credits: nhjd[.]net):
