China is constructing a 600 meter airstrip on Triton Island, an island that is previously known for its undisputed ownership. This was discovered by the United States through satellite images, The Associated Press reports.

   The Spratly Islands are a chain of islands located in the South China Sea that are owned by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.

   “China appears to be building an airstrip on a disputed South China Sea island,” WRIC ABC 8News reports.

    China believes they have ownership over the entire South China Sea. They deny any other countries rights to anything in the waters. The construction of the airstrip is taking place on Triton Island, a place where Taiwan, Vietnam and China all claim to have the rights over.    

   China has already begun to build military installations to reinforce its territorial claims on the water. The building on this island resembles previous military construction by China on islands in the East. These include docks, airstrips and other military systems, CNN reports. 

   The stretch of Triton Island’s airstrip can at most lodge drones and small-scale aircrafts. China, at the moment, has not provided any details towards the purpose of the construction. They only provided their previous explanations of trying to help global navigation safety. They continue to reject all allegations of militarizing the sea.