China's Controversial Airstrip Construction in South China Sea Raises Concerns

China is reportedly constructing an airstrip on Triton island in the disputed South China Sea, which is also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan. Satellite photos analyzed by the Associated Press show the construction, although it appears to be more modest in scale compared to other Chinese-built islands in the region. The runway is currently laid out to accommodate turboprop aircraft and drones, but not fighter jets or bombers. China claims sovereignty over the entire South China Sea, defying an international ruling that invalidated its assertion. The construction work on Triton island is seen as another step in China's efforts to assert control over the disputed waters.