Fiery Cross Reef

Fiery Cross Reef
Disputed island
Other names:
Northwest Investigator Reef
Yongshu Reef
Kagitingan Reef
Đá Chữ Thập
LANDSAT 7 image from April 2000
Geography
Location of Fiery Cross Reef
Location South China Sea
Coordinates 9°37′N 112°58′E / 9.617°N 112.967°ECoordinates: 9°37′N 112°58′E / 9.617°N 112.967°E
Archipelago Spratly Islands
Area Natural: 0 ha
Reclaimed: 230 ha
Administered by
People's Republic of China
Claimed by
People's Republic of China
Philippines
Vietnam
Taiwan

Fiery Cross Reef, also known as "Northwest Investigator Reef", "Yongshu Island" (永暑岛) and "Yongshu Reef" (永暑礁) by the Chinese,[1] "Kagitingan Reef" by the Philippines,[2] and "Đá Chữ Thập" by the Vietnamese, is a group of three reefs on the western edge of Dangerous Ground in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea.

It is controlled by China (PRC) (as part of Sansha,[3]) and claimed by the Philippines (as part of Kalayaan, Palawan.[2][4]), Vietnam and the ROC.

It has been occupied by the PRC since 1988 when a "UNESCO Marine observation station" was built there.

There are around 200 Chinese troops on the reef.[5]

Weather Station

In 1987, following a UNESCO meeting in March, it was agreed that the PRC would build weather stations in the South China sea as part of a global oceanic survey.[6] In April 1987, the PRC chose to build a weather station on Fiery Cross reef as the reef was large enough for the purpose, and it was isolated from other disputed islands and reefs. [7] However, this caused further skirmishes with Vietnam when, in January 1988, some Vietnamese ships with construction materials tried to approach the reef in a bid to construct Vietnamese structures.

The weather station was commissioned by UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission(IOC). Construction was commenced in February 1988 and completed in August 1988. [8]

Taiwan (ROC) has also established meteorological stations in the Spratly Islands, and further north in the Pratas Islands. These include a weather station on Taiping island (Itu Aba in the Spratly Islands), which collects information using surface instruments and launches weather balloons daily.[9]

Land reclamation

During 2014 the PRC government commenced construction of a large artificial island to allow construction of an airstrip and seaport.[10] A Hong-Kong based newspaper concludes that China has been at a distinct disadvantage compared with other claimants in the Spratly Islands as it is the only claimant that doesn't have an island hosting an airfield. Taiwan has Taiping Island (Itu Aba), the Philippines has Thitu (Pagasa) island, Malaysia has Swallow Reef (a reef on which it reclaimed land and built an airstrip) and, the article claims, Vietnam has Southwest Cay.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "从永暑礁到永暑岛 (From Yongshu Reef to Yongshu Island)" (in Chinese). Tencent News. 2014-10-24. Retrieved 2014-12-14.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 DJ Sta. Ana, News5 (2011-05-24). "China builds more Spratly outposts". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 2012-07-25.
  3. ↑ Joe Burgess (2012-05-31). "Territorial Claims in South China Sea". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-07-25.
  4. ↑ Jane Perlez (2012-07-24). "Nations at Impasse Over South China Sea, Group Warns". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-07-24.
  5. ↑ DJ Sta. Ana, The Philippine Star (13 June 2014). "China reclaiming land in 5 reefs?". www.abs-cbnnews.com. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  6. ↑ Lee, Lai To (1999). China sea and South China sea dialogues. Greenwood Publishing group. ISBN 0275966356. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  7. ↑ Koo, Min Gyo (2010). Island Disputes and Maritime Regime Building in East Asia. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 1441962239. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  8. ↑ Boothroyd, Adrienne. "OWN-ING THE ISLANDS: CHINA'S MOVE INTO THE SOUTH CHINA SEA A STUDY OF CHINESE FOREIGN POLICY" (PDF). http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca''. Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  9. ↑ Taiwan, Info. "ROC to upgrade weather stations in disputed Spratlys". http://taiwaninfo.nat.gov.tw''. Government of Taiwan. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  10. ↑ Hardy, James; O'Connor, Sean (20 November 2014). "China building airstrip-capable island on Fiery Cross Reef". IHS Janes Defence Weekly (IHS). IHS Janes 360. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  11. ↑ Kristine Kwok and Minnie Chan (2014-06-08). "China plans artificial island in disputed Spratlys chain in South China Sea". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 2014-09-28.
    Note that, other than this quoted article, there is no supporting evidence that there is an airstrip on Southwest Cay. (There is an airstip on Spratly Island, but not Southwest Cay.)