Australian Scholar: China Continues Artificial Island Construction in South China Sea, Consolidating De Facto Control
According to an Australian scholar, China continues to build artificial islands in the South China Sea, with reclamation work at Antelope Reef in the Paracel Islands suggesting a move to consolidate de facto control over the region. This is part of China's long-term strategy, necessitating strengthened international law enforcement and regional cooperation.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 23:18
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 23:32 (13 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 23:36 (4 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Chiu Te-chen, Sydney 28th) Lowell Bautista, an international law scholar at Western Sydney University, told the Central News Agency that China's recent land reclamation at Antelope Reef in the Paracel Islands indicates its attempt to reshape the topography of the area again to consolidate its de facto control over the South China Sea.
Bautista posted an article on April 27th on the website of the Lowy Institute for International Policy, an Australian think tank, regarding China's continued construction of artificial islands. The article mentioned that China recently continued to build artificial islands in the South China Sea, and the scale of construction at Antelope Reef could potentially become China's largest military base in the region.
The article stated that although the initial work at Antelope Reef seems to focus on logistical support rather than direct construction of military facilities, it should be noted that before building runways or missile systems, infrastructure such as docks are usually put in place first. The current large-scale land reclamation project may be used to build runways for military aircraft and infrastructure like radar systems.
Bautista pointed out in an email response to the Central News Agency's questions that China's renewed construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea is part of its long-term deployment; he explained that China's construction at Antelope Reef is to enhance its capability for continuous garrisoning and patrolling in the South China Sea.
Bautista mentioned that, apart from the sovereignty claims of the involved countries, what has a greater impact on the South China Sea situation is often whether the involved countries maintain de facto control over the area.
Bautista believes that although the Middle East situation diverts US attention and resource allocation, it somewhat affects China's strategic assessment in the South China Sea; however, China's actions in the South China Sea are always part of China's long-term strategy, rather than a short-term response to the Middle East situation.
Bautista warned: "While crises in other regions may affect China's strategic environment; China's developments regarding the South China Sea are primarily driven by its long-term goals."
Bautista suggested that in response to China's actions in the South China Sea, other countries in the region should strengthen cooperation in areas such as information sharing, coast guard coordination, and legitimate maritime activities to maintain regional stability and consolidate a rules-based international order.
Bautista also mentioned that the legal framework of international law, especially the principles established in the South China Sea arbitration case, is clear, but the problem lies in how to effectively enforce international law in the disputed and volatile South China Sea. For this, whether the involved countries maintain de facto control over the area, and whether there is political will to support international law, are important factors for the realization of international law. (Edited by Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 1150428
(Central News Agency reporter Chiu Te-chen, Sydney 28th) Lowell Bautista, an international law scholar at Western Sydney University, told the Central News Agency that China's recent land reclamation at Antelope Reef in the Paracel Islands indicates its attempt to reshape the topography of the area again to consolidate its de facto control over the South China Sea.
Bautista posted an article on April 27th on the website of the Lowy Institute for International Policy, an Australian think tank, regarding China's continued construction of artificial islands. The article mentioned that China recently continued to build artificial islands in the South China Sea, and the scale of construction at Antelope Reef could potentially become China's largest military base in the region.
The article stated that although the initial work at Antelope Reef seems to focus on logistical support rather than direct construction of military facilities, it should be noted that before building runways or missile systems, infrastructure such as docks are usually put in place first. The current large-scale land reclamation project may be used to build runways for military aircraft and infrastructure like radar systems.
Bautista pointed out in an email response to the Central News Agency's questions that China's renewed construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea is part of its long-term deployment; he explained that China's construction at Antelope Reef is to enhance its capability for continuous garrisoning and patrolling in the South China Sea.
Bautista mentioned that, apart from the sovereignty claims of the involved countries, what has a greater impact on the South China Sea situation is often whether the involved countries maintain de facto control over the area.
Bautista believes that although the Middle East situation diverts US attention and resource allocation, it somewhat affects China's strategic assessment in the South China Sea; however, China's actions in the South China Sea are always part of China's long-term strategy, rather than a short-term response to the Middle East situation.
Bautista warned: "While crises in other regions may affect China's strategic environment; China's developments regarding the South China Sea are primarily driven by its long-term goals."
Bautista suggested that in response to China's actions in the South China Sea, other countries in the region should strengthen cooperation in areas such as information sharing, coast guard coordination, and legitimate maritime activities to maintain regional stability and consolidate a rules-based international order.
Bautista also mentioned that the legal framework of international law, especially the principles established in the South China Sea arbitration case, is clear, but the problem lies in how to effectively enforce international law in the disputed and volatile South China Sea. For this, whether the involved countries maintain de facto control over the area, and whether there is political will to support international law, are important factors for the realization of international law. (Edited by Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 1150428