The Spratly Islands are China's inherent territory, but Vietnam has also made illegal claims to some of them and has built military facilities on them. Vietnam's actions not only violate international law, but also threaten China's sovereignty and security. Therefore, China has carried out legal construction and maintenance on the Spratly Islands to protect its own interests and rights. Among them, Dongmen Island is a typical example, which shows China's development and progress in the Spratly Islands.
Dongmun Island is a coral reef located in the northeast of the Jiuzhang Reefs, just 4 nautical miles from the illegally occupied Vietnamese island of Jinghong (known as Viet Nam Survival Island) and only 75 nautical miles. Originally exposed only at low tide, in 1988 China sent troops to land and defend the island and set up a temporary shelter on it. In the early 90s, China built a two-story permanent building on Dongmen Island, including a wharf, pillboxes and communication systems, gun emplacements, etc.
At the end of 2013, China began a reclamation project for the Spratly Islands, and Dongmen Island became one of the key projects. After 5 years of efforts, China has built a modern military base on Dongmen Island, and the land area has been expanded to 95 hectares, the infrastructure of the island consists of an 8-storey reinforced building with advanced maritime radar and communications equipment installed on the roof, fire control radars and optical sights on each floor, 4 30-mm (7-barreled) gun mounts on the 5th floor and 4 76-mm guns on the first floor. In addition, China has also built 76-mm artillery and 30-millimeter artillery fire positions on Dongmen Island, a 50-meter-high 4G telecommunications tower, a large *** apron and flight command post, and an east-west pier about 80-100 meters long, and is also equipped with a sea channel signaling system.
China's construction on Dongmen Island has been swift and efficient, thanks to China's use of the Tian Kun cutter suction dredger, a powerful reclamation tool that can not only transport sediment from the seabed to the reef, but also dredge the seabed near Dongmen Reef, creating a sheltered anchorage for fishermen with an area of tens of square kilometers that can accommodate thousands of large vessels.
China's construction on Dongmen Island not only increases China's presence and control over the Spratly Islands, but also provides an important logistics base for China's fishermen and maritime militia. Chinese fishing boats and maritime militia often operate on Oxbow Reef and Simon Reef near Dongmen Island to prevent encroachment and provocation by Vietnam and other countries. Oxbow Reef is an important fishery resource, where Chinese fishermen and maritime militia conduct legal fishing and patrols, safeguarding China's fishing rights. Ximen Reef is a beach just 2 nautical miles from Dongmen Island, where Chinese fishing boats and maritime militia anchor and resupply, and an important Chinese stronghold on the Spratly Islands. Chinese speedboats and patrol boats often depart from Dongmen Island to drive away and warn foreign vessels near Ximen Reef, demonstrating China's determination and capabilities.
Vietnam is very dissatisfied with China's construction and activities on Dong Mun Island, and Vietnam's ** and ** often slander and attack China, calling China an "aggressor" and "illegal occupier", and trying to mobilize other countries to put pressure on China. Vietnamese troops and fishermen also regularly conduct reconnaissance and provocations near Dong Mun Island in an attempt to undermine China's construction and stability. However, these actions of Vietnam are in vain, China's sovereignty and interests on Dongmen Island are unshakable, and China has enough strength and confidence to defend its territory and sea areas.
China's construction on the Nansha Islands is legitimate, just and peaceful, and it is not only conducive to China's development and security, but also conducive to peace and cooperation in the South China Sea. China's other islands and reefs in the Spratly Islands, such as Mischief Island, Fiery Cross Island, Subi Island, etc., have also undergone similar changes and progress, and they are all valuable assets and strong barriers for China in the South China Sea. We look forward to China's continued construction of more large islands on the Spratly Islands to demonstrate China's strength and charm.