China's military presence in the South China Sea: bomber on Woody Island!

China's military presence in the South China Sea: bomber on Woody Island!

Woody-Insel, Südchinesisches Meer, China - In the southern Chinese Sea, the Situation continues to come to a head, after the Woody-island H-6 bombers were sighted. These islands are also used by Vietnam, which exacerbates the territorial tensions in the region. Satellite images from Maxar Technologies show the presence not only the long-range bomber, but also from Y-20 transport aircraft and a KJ-500 reconnaissance plane on the island, which serves as a flying early warning system.

China has expanded its military presence in the South China Sea in recent years, including the establishment of military infrastructure. However, the H-6 bombers are not expected to be stationed on the Woody Island in the long term. Usually these bombers are stationed on the mainland of China's South Command, which maintains two regiments of these machines. The stay of the bombers could also be interpreted as a threatening gesture against Taiwan, since China sees the island as part of his state area, while Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign state.

military activities and international tensions

The tensions around the Woody Island are not new. According to reports from the US Pacific Command, fighter jets were previously stationed there. The use of these military aircraft falls into a broader context in which China increasingly asserts its influence in the South China Sea. In its part, the United States has strengthened military presence in the region, among other things by stationing fighter planes in Japan and Guam, as well as marine inserts to defend the freedom of shipping.

US military also found that Beijing has stationed weapons on the Woody Island, including floor air rockets with a range of 200 kilometers. These military activities in the region prevent the settlement of the territorial disputes, which have continued since the end of the Second World War, but are still tightened by economic interests on the rich raw material occurrence and fishing reasons. China claims almost the entire South Chinese sea, while other neighboring states such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also raise regional claims.

The geopolitical context

The geopolitical location in the South China Sea is extremely complex. Historical demands and the illegal expansion of trade routes and military infrastructures have led to a tense milieu. The International Arbitration Court declared China's claims for violating international law in 2016, but this is not recognized by Beijing. The United States and other western states are calling for compliance with international freedom of shipping and warning to restraint in the region. Territorial conflicts in the Chinese Sea not only affect the direct residents, but also attract international statements of interest. In summary, it can be said that the viewing of the Chinese bombers on Woody Island is another sign of the escalating tensions in the South China Sea, which include both geopolitical and economic dimensions and continue to require international attention.