Subi reef, located in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, is shown in this handout Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative satellite image taken September 3, 2015 and released to Reuters October 27, 2015. A U.S. guided-missile destroyer sailed close to one of China’s man-made islands in the South China Sea on October 27, 2015, drawing an angry rebuke from Beijing, which said it had tracked and warned the ship and called in the U.S. ambassador to protest. REUTERS/CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative/DigitalGlobe/Handout via Reuters TPX IMAGES OF THE DAYATTENTION EDITORS – THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVE. MANDATORY CREDIT.

According to sources with knowledge of intelligence reports, China has installed antiship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems on three of its fortified outposts in the Spratly Islands, South China Sea. Reports indicate the YJ-12B ASCM and HQ-9B SAM were moved to Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef, and Mischief Reef within the last 30 days. A previous report in February 2017 noted Chinese construction of structures likely designed to house long-range SAMs. If the new installations are confirmed, they would mark the first Chinese missile deployments in the contested Spratly Islands, likely raising tension in the region.

Related Links:

China quietly installed defensive missile systems on strategic Spratly Islands in hotly contested South China Sea, CNBC
China installs cruise missiles on South China Sea outposts: CNBC, Reuters
China ‘installs cruise missiles on South China Sea outposts’, South China Morning Post