The Nansha Islands are an important part of the South China Sea and are rich in marine resources and strategic value. However, due to historical reasons, China's sovereignty and rights and interests in the Spratly Islands have been violated and challenged by countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines and Malaysia. In order to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, China has had to carry out a series of construction and deployment on the Nansha Islands, which has caused some international disputes and frictions.
China's construction of the Spratly Islands has gone through difficulties and twists and turns. In 1988, China began to station troops on the Spratly Islands, but due to the conditions at that time, it could only build simple stilt houses on some reefs to accommodate some officers and soldiers and supplies defending the islands. These stilt houses are very unstable and are often attacked by sea breezes and waves, making life extremely difficult. Sometimes, officers and soldiers even had to feed themselves with rain and pickles, or risk their lives to rush supplies. They used their hardships and sacrifices to show the spirit of Nansha people.
Fortunately, with China's development and progress, the conditions for garrisoning the Nansha Islands have also been fundamentally improved. China has built seven artificial islands on the Spratly Islands, namely Fiery Cross Island, Mischief Island, Subi Island, Chigua Island, Spratly Island, Thitu Island and Woody Island, of which Fiery Cross Island is the largest one, with an area of 28 square kilometers. These artificial islands not only have solid concrete revetments, but also various facilities and buildings such as airports, docks, warehouses, hospitals, schools, etc. The quality of life of the officers and soldiers has also been greatly improved, and many green plants have been planted on the island, which has increased the ecological beauty.
The construction of the Spratly Islands is not only to improve the lives of officers and soldiers, but also to enhance China's strategic position and capabilities in the South China Sea. The artificial islands of the Spratly Islands can serve as forward bases for China's navy and air force to enhance China's defense and control capabilities in the South China Sea, and can also serve as China's diplomatic and legal fulcrum in the South China Sea, enhancing China's voice and influence in the South China Sea. The artificial islands of the Nansha Islands are a super project that China has made for the future generations and an important measure for China to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.
However, China's construction of the Spratly Islands has also met with opposition and interference from some countries, especially the Philippines. The Philippines has always coveted some islands and reefs in the Nansha Islands, and even illegally stationed troops on Scarborough Shoal to provoke China's sovereignty. With the support of the United States, the Philippines has also continued to create incidents near the Spratly Islands in an attempt to prevent China's construction and deployment. The Philippines even fabricated a lie claiming that it had dismantled the buoys set up by China near Scarborough Shoal, which were in fact temporary barrage facilities that China had set up to prevent illegal intrusion by the Philippines, and that China took it upon itself to take it upon completion of its mission.
China has adopted a resolute and rational attitude towards the provocation and interference of the Philippines, effectively controlled and stopped it in accordance with the law, and at the same time maintained restraint and caution to avoid unnecessary conflict and escalation. China has also made it clear that its construction of the Spratly Islands is lawful and justifiable, and will not affect the freedom of navigation and overflight of other countries, nor will it damage the ecological environment of the South China Sea. China is willing to coexist peacefully with the countries surrounding the South China Sea and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea.
China's construction of the Spratly Islands is a long-term strategic task and a formidable challenge. China needs to take into account the concerns of other countries and the possibility of cooperation while maintaining its own interests. China needs to be flexible and inclusive while upholding its principles. China needs to be prepared to deal with crises and conflicts while maintaining peace. China's construction of the Nansha Islands is a war without gunpowder and a peace with far-reaching implications.