China has built an island fortress on a disputed reef, raising concerns over their military ambitions in the South China Sea. Satellite images show that an artificial island with two piers, a helipad and a cement plant has appeared within the past nine months at Hughes Reef in the Spratly Islands. China, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei have all registered claims to the territory, leading to increased military tensions recently. Original: The first satellite images, taken in March last year, showed the original 380 square metre platform that work started expanding from. US officials have described China's building expansion in the area as 'unprecedented'
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Island fortress has appeared on Hughes Reef in South China Sea
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Experts say base and facilities can support large numbers of troops
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Concerns that government are pursuing military ambitions in the region
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Disputed territory is believed to rich in oil and gas reserves
The reef is approximately 210 miles from the @placeholder and 660 miles from China.