Photo: Reuters.
Beijing: New satellite images show China has significantly strengthened its military capabilities on contested islands in the South China Sea,.
The images showed what appeared to be anti-aircraft guns and other weapons systems at each of the seven artificial islands China earlier had constructed in the South China Sea's Spartly archipelego, according to a report from the US think tank the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative.
The construction works shows "that Beijing is serious about defence of its artificial islands in case of an armed contingency in the South China Sea," the report said.
"Among other things, they would be the last line of defence against cruise missiles launched by the United States or others against these soon-to-be-operational air bases," it added.
Beijing has yet to respond to the report's findings.
A Chinese Air Force spokesperson on Thursday said recent drills in the South China Sea are "regular, routine military activities," responding to media reports that Chinese warplanes flew over the South China Sea, Bashi Channel and Miyako Strait.
Beijing claims nearly all of the South China Sea, including the Paracels east of Danang and the Spratly Islands to the south between Vietnam and the Philippines.
Chinese construction in the Spratlys, including runways and lighthouses, have been previously criticized by many nations.
Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Brunei all have competing claims with China over the important sea route. (QNA)
