China confirms sending fighter jets to islands in Hoang Sa for the first time

China officially announced the illegal activities of fighter jets on Phu Lam Island, part of Vietnam's Hoang Sa archipelago.

Chinese J-11B fighter jets illegally deployed on Phu Lam Island, part of Vietnam's Hoang Sa archipelago. Photo:CCTV

Citing a video broadcast on state television, the Global Times reported on December 1 that China had sent J-11B fighter jets to Woody Island. Although Chinese fighter jets were spotted illegally on the island in 2016 and in April, the video is the first time Beijing has confirmed the deployment.

The video was broadcast by China Central Television (CCTV) on November 29 in a report on the expansion of the country's air force activities.

Planes landed, took off and conducted drills over the East Sea in the video. At least one plane "entered a closed hangar," the Chinese newspaper said."The thermally stabilized hangars help enhance the endurance of fighter jets in the high temperature and humidity conditions on the island." That shows the country has the ability to deploy aircraft for longer periods of time.

Global Timesbrazenly claimed that the three-kilometer runway in Phu Lam "is an important airport for both military and civilian purposes" in the East Sea area.

China has so far illegally built a series of military outposts in the East Sea with the aim of increasing control over the area, where trillions of dollars worth of goods are transported each year.Beijing also illegally maintains surface-to-air missile systems.HQ-9 at Phu Lam, deployed anti-ship cruise missiles at least once.

Phu Lam Island, part of Vietnam's Hoang Sa archipelago, has been illegally occupied by force by China since 1974. Vietnam has repeatedly protested China's activities that violate Vietnam's sovereignty in Hoang Sa and international law.

In Vietnam's Truong Sa archipelago, China has illegally built seven artificial islands with three military airports.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said in late March that China had almost completed illegal construction of three artificial islands in the Spratly Islands.The three islands have hangars that can accommodate 24 fighters and four larger aircraft, including surveillance, transport, refueling or bomber aircraft.On three islands, China also has radar and sensors, brazenly placed near military structures.

According to VNE