show that China is committed to power projection in the region (AMTI 2017). Lying just over 200 nautical miles off Hainan Island, China’s presence in the Paracels is a significant source of tension with contesting claimant, Vietnam. Having once been occupied by both countries, clashes between Chinese and Vietnamese forces in the 1974 resulted in China gaining control of the islands (Maritime Awareness Project 2019). Today, of the claimant countries, Vietnam has been the least swayed by Chinese influence, and came closest to calling on both China and the Philippines to abide by the tribunal ruling (Storey 2016). With neither side offering each other diplomatic niceties, both countries remain in sharp conflict with one another over the islands. The long-term Chinese occupation of the Paracel islands has resulted in tensions between China and Vietnam, straining a relationship that has sparked violence in the past.

Chinese militarization in the Spratly Islands has proven much more contentious in recent years as they have seen both rapid island reclamation as well as the introduction of unprecedented military capabilities. Moreover, the Spratly Islands are contested by China, Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines and Malaysia, and all have established constructions on some of the islands. China has been by far the most active in the expanding and equipping its islands, including the construction of large anti-aircraft guns. Experts also suspect that close-in weapons systems (CIWS) have been introduced to some of the islands to protect against cruise missile strikes. The placement of these defences shows how China is willing to defend these islands and are prepared to respond in the case of an attack. Of the islands China has developed, Fiery Cross, Mischief and Subi Reefs are the by far the most advanced (see Figure 3). Each has enough hangars to accommodate 24 combat aircraft and four larger transport planes, bunkers to house missile launchers, as well as radars that allow for the monitoring of the surrounding area (AMTI 2017). By March 2018, China had verifiably landed military transport aircraft on all three of its main islands in the Spratlys marking a major milestone in developing its military capabilities in the region. According to U.S. intelligence, China also deployed YJ-13B anti-ship cruise missiles and HQ-9B surface to air missiles on the 2nd May. Offensive capabilities such as air power, radars and missiles give China a sizable advantage in the region, causing concern for both the U.S. and other claimant countries.

Overall, China’s military capabilities in the SCS are unparalleled, with Admiral Philip Davidson, Head of