PLA to build airfield on Fiery Cross Reef

To project its power into the disputed South China Sea, China has decided to build an airfield on Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratlys after its land reclamation program according to state-run China NewsWeek.The Chinese foreign ministry claims that China has a right to conduct any activity in its own territory and the People's Liberation Army stated that countries like the Philippines and Vietnam, rival claimants to the island group, along with Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysia, do not have any right to make any comment regarding the construction over the Spratlys. The magazine stated that the land reclamation program on Fiery Cross Reef indicates that China is constructing a new airfield as a foward base for the PLA Navy and Air Force.

Currently, there are four airports in the Spratlys. The largest one is located on Taiping, the largest island of Spratly, which is administered by Taiwan. Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines each have their own airport in the island group, with Malaysia's on Swallow reef, Vietnam's on Spratly and the Philippines' on Thitu. Ten islands, reefs and shoals are currently under Chinese administration however, the PLA Navy and Air Force do not have an airport in the disputed region.The PLA has constructed an airport on Woody island in the Paracels which extends the combat radius of the PLA Navy's fighters, but it is still too far for them to provide close air support to the Chinese garrison in the Spratlys. To prevent joint military action against China in the South China Sea which could potentially be launched by Vietnam and the Philippines with the support of the United States, the magazine said that it is critical for the PLA to have an airfield in the region.

China is looking to cooperate with Taiwan in the region. The airfield in Taiping was constructed under the orders of former president Chen Shui-bian, in 2006. After the construction of the airfield was complete, Chen became the first president of the Republic of China to visit the island in early 2008. Since then, the Taiwanese government has begun to strengthen its defense of the island.

China was critical of the airfield on Taiping and its use by US forces to monitor PLA activities in the South China Sea. China's attitude changed however, after Ma Ying-jeou succeeded to the presidency. Beijing hopes that Ma Ying-jeou will be willing to cooperate with mainland China to defend the Spratlys, despite their rival claims to the islands.Ma Ying-jeou has openly rejected the idea of cooperation with China in the South China Sea. A source told the magazine that direct cooperation between Taiwan and mainland China in the South China Sea is impossible within the next 15-20 years because the current Kuomintang regime is still strongly influenced by the US. Cooperation can only be realized in the event of unification, according to the source.