Eatup's Guide to China & The Far East

Chinese troops performing drill:

 

The numerical advantage of Chinese forces at sea:





http://english.cri.cn/12394/2015/08/28/4021s893506.htm

 

If any country feels like engaging China in the South China Sea with their few warships/carrier attack groups in "freedom of navigation" patrols, that's only b/c they didn't read The Art of War...

 

Having talked to some extent about Woody Island, the Spratly reefs, and Scarborough Shoal:




I want to touch briefly on the Xisha islands, which are next to Woody Islands <-- China is also artificially building up the Xisha islands

 

Commonly referred to as the "7 islands chain":

 

By contrast, the Japanese Okinotorishima artificial islands:





(The dotted areas were normally submerged at high tide. The Japanese poured concrete over them to make them rise and claim a huge Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) around the area)

 

Builders living on China's artificial Spratly Islands in the South China Sea:

 

Builders living on China's artificial Spratly Islands in the South China Sea (continued):