China Completes First Construction Stage at Antelope Reef, Satellite Images Show — Largest South China Sea Base Yet

Satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters and published August 19, 2026 shows China has completed the first stage of construction at Antelope Reef (Lingyang Jiao) in the Paracel Islands, reclaiming an island roughly 6km (4 miles) long with a straight coastline exceeding 3km — long enough, analysts say, to support a future runway. A 680-meter wharf now fronts a deep-water harbor, with a China Coast Guard vessel photographed alongside, and a helicopter pad has been built in the southeast corner. Barges and dredgers have left the site after more than six months of work. PLATracker analyst Ben Lewis said 'the northern part of the South China Sea would be particularly important in a Taiwan conflict scenario, so Antelope is ideally placed,' and noted the base could eventually host H-6 strategic bombers. China's defense ministry did not respond to Reuters' request for comment; state media have described the facility's purpose as weather forecasting and scientific research, which analysts dispute given the wharf, helipad and runway-length coastline. China has occupied the Paracels since seizing them from South Vietnam in 1974.