I don’t think the map routine will work on this deal. They’ve dragged tons and tons of sand, and established an actual island....and are building onto it. In five years, this island might be the size of New York City (at least the downtown section). We’ve never had anyone attempt something like this, and I think if they “build it”....it’s their property. This is not the US fight as I see it, we have no interest....no territory near it.
“I don’t think the map routine will work on this deal.”
I recognize you want to play the pro-communist activist sowing FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt), but in this case you are being foiled by the international treaty which denies recognition of sovereignty over such improvements to reefs, islets, and so forth which are in the High Seas and the territories of these other nations.
In the next few years the ocean may have something to say about it. The current and tides have not allowed an island there before.
........these people are gonna get a lot of folks killed.
This island was exposed at low tide and covered up in high tide. The laws of the sea state - based on an article I read - stated an artificially expanded island can only claim 500 meters beyond the shore. In the case of the Spratley’s it is unclear if they are China’s to begin with. They are also claimed by the Philippines and Vietnam.