TENSIONS are mounting after satellite images revealed China has deployed two fighter jets to a hotly contested island in the South China Sea.
The images, taken from ImageSat International, show two Chinese Shenyang J-11 fighter jets on Woody Island and have been authenticated by US defence officials.
The island, in the Paracel island chain, is in the South China Sea, which sees more than $5trillion in global trade pass every year.
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The revelation comes just days before Ash Carter, US Defence Secretary, visits the Philippines where the situation and ongoing tensions over the disputed waters are sure to be on the agenda.
The photographs also reveal a new radar system which experts fear will be used to monitor US fighter jets, bombers and intelligence gathering aircraft keeping an eye on the Chinese military.
In February, satellite images sparked accusations that China had deployed surface-to-air missiles on the island.
Since reports of missiles started to circulate, China’s top diplomat, State Councillor Yang Jiechi, said that they “challenged” the deployment report but had neither denied nor admitted the weapons were there.
Full article: China deploys fighter jets to South China Sea island as tensions grow (Express)
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