China continues its expansion in the South China Sea with additional facilities now being built. According to the country's Ministry of Transport, a new maritime rescue center has now been completed on Fiery Cross Reef. The center was built to serve the entire Spratly Islands, or better known in China as the Nanshas. The area is being developed to become the biggest logistics hub for the country.
The country has also stationed a number of rescue ships around the islands, including the Nanhaijiu-115 rescue ship. With the completion of the rescue center, more rescue missions can now be completed. The new center is run by the country's South China Sea Rescue Bureau, a department that is meant to ensure safe navigation and transport throughout the area.
Apart from the new rescue center, several man-made islands across the South China Sea region also have interesting structures. This includes a new weather observatory station, which actively tracks the weather in the area. There is also an ocean and hydrology monitoring station, which is close to several coral restoration facilities. These stations are part of an effort to help keep the balance of the surrounding marine environments, which is a huge source of goods and income for local fisherman.
To run all of these facilities, the islands are home to more than 1,000 Chinese personnel, with a mix of military troops and other employees. The islands come equipped with their own fresh water supplies, power-generating solar panel arrays, greenhouses for produce, and several recreational facilities.
The country currently controls a total of seven reefs in the contested area, which they have transformed into massive man-made islands. Fiery Cross is the third largest island, with Subi and Mischief being the largest at almost double the size. The island started out as nothing more than a bunch of rocky islets that were barely above the sea. It has now grown into an artificial island with an area of around 2.8 square kilometers. Reclamation on the islands started around 2014, via a massive reclamation project that saw tons of soil and other materials being transported to the islands.
Apart from building new structures, China has launched several humanitarian efforts in the region. This included providing assistance to fishing and cargo vessels that pass by the area. The Nanhaijiu-115 and ships just like it have so far rescued at least 16 people in the last six months. The ships are staffed by professional divers and medical personnel.
