Johnson South Reef

Johnson South Reef
Disputed island
Other names:
Chigua Reef
Yongshu reef
Gạc Ma Reef
Mabini reef
L to R: Collins Reef, Johnson South Reef and Landsdowne Reef.
Geography
Location of Johnson South Reef
Location South China Sea
Coordinates 9°42′54″N 114°17′13″E / 9.715°N 114.287°E / 9.715; 114.287Coordinates: 9°42′54″N 114°17′13″E / 9.715°N 114.287°E / 9.715; 114.287
Archipelago Spratly Islands
Administered by
People's Republic of China
Claimed by
People's Republic of China
Vietnam

Johnson South Reef (Chinese: 赤瓜礁; pinyin: Chìguā Jiāo; Vietnamese: Đá Gạc Ma), also known as Chigua Reef, Yongshu reef, Gạc Ma Reef and Mabini reef[1] is a reef in the southwest portion of Union Banks, in the Spratly Islands of the South China Sea. It is controlled by the People's Republic of China (PRC), but its ownership is disputed by the Philippines, Brunei, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Location, topography and structures

Johnson South Reef lies adjacent to the Vietnamese-controlled Collins Reef (also known as Johnson North Reef) which lies 6.4 kilometres (4.0 mi) to the northwest. It is naturally above water only at low tide. It houses a number of small buildings, wharves and a fortified Chinese maritime observation station.[2]

Territorial disputes

Johnson South Reef is currently occupied by the People's Republic of China and claimed by Vietnam. It was the site of the Johnson South Reef Skirmish in 1988, fought by the PRC and Vietnam, which resulted in more than 70 Vietnamese deaths, two Vietnamese boats being sunk and the Chinese occupying the reef.

In order to prevent the reef from submersion caused by erosion, and to maintain the claim to the EEZ, the PRC government built an embankment building, and Johnson South Reef surrounded the building in the early 1990s.[3]

In July 2012, to further reinforce their claim, a Chinese fleet of 29 fishing vessels from Hainan protected by Yuzheng 310 (a fishery administration patrol ship) spent 20 days fishing in the region.[4]

In May 2014, the Philippines announced that one of its reconnaissance flights had observed PRC dredging and reclaiming up to 10 hectares of land at the reef.[5] China responded by saying this was a normal construction being done in their territory.[6] The Philippines asserted in September 2014 that this will be a future military airfield.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Malig, Jojo (17 July 2012). "Chinese fleet eyes bumper harvest". ABS CBN News. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  2. ↑ "China fishing fleet arrives in Spratlys". Philippine Inquirer - Global nation. 17 July 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  3. ↑ Johnson South Reef / Chigua Reef (中国南沙群島赤瓜礁図片]), www.nansha.org.cn
  4. ↑ "30-vessel China fishing fleet arrives at Nansha Islands". Xinhua English - Sina English News. 15 July 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  5. ↑ Mogato, Manuel, "Philippines says China appears to be building airstrip on disputed reef", Reuters, 13 May 2014
  6. ↑ Moss, Trevor (14 May 2014). "Beijing Claims Building is Normal in ‘Chinese Territory’". Wall Street Journal.
  7. ↑ Wingfield-Hayes, Rupert (9 September 2014). "China's Island Factory". BBC. Retrieved 10 September 2014.

External links

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