Story perspectives

China Builds Antelope Reef Runway, Targeting First Landing 2027

By Drooid · Oct 3, 2026, 6:25 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

China is building a runway on Antelope Reef in the Paracel Islands.
Vantor images from Sept 25 show grading, gravel piles, concrete and compaction cranes.
Analysts expect runway completion and the first aircraft landing by mid-2027.
Open-source analysts say the base could become a key offshore military facility, extending deployments and protecting Hainan Island’s submarine approaches.
State media claim civilian uses like weather forecasting, while China’s defence ministry has not commented.

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Story summary

China is building a runway on Antelope Reef in the Paracel Islands.
Vantor images from Sept 25 show grading, gravel piles, concrete and compaction cranes.
Analysts expect runway completion and the first aircraft landing by mid-2027.
Open-source analysts say the base could become a key offshore military facility, extending deployments and protecting Hainan Island’s submarine approaches.
State media claim civilian uses like weather forecasting, while China’s defence ministry has not commented.