Dan Falvey reports that China plans to build a nuclear power plant in the disputed South China Sea are “moving ahead steadily”, according to state media. The nuclear power plant aims to primarily provide power for people living in the city of Sansha but construction of the energy resource has infuriated surrounding countries who also believe they have a claim to the maritime area, as well as the US, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brunei all also believe they have sovereignty over the sea.
China’s People’s Daily, owned by the Communist Party have reported that the new power plant will increase the state’s military presence in the area. It said: “To improve the livelihood and work conditions of people living on the islands, and strengthen the necessary military defense of the South China Sea within China's sovereignty, China has rationally expanded the area of its islands and reefs.”
The South China Sea sees $4-5 trillion (£2.9-3.7 trillion) worth of goods transported through the area each year and is thought to be home to lucrative minerals. However, China’s plans to militarize the area are of bigger concern to many nations. Beijing will launch their new super-dredger Tianjing machine next summer and there are concerns that it could be used to create artificial islands used as military bases in the disputed water channel.
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