Why is China Creating Artificial Islands in the South China Sea?

China has been working tirelessly to establish a nearly impenetrable anti-access/area-denial zone encompassing the vast majority of the South China Sea. The development of extensive infrastructure on these artificial landmasses is a critical component of this strategy. In addition to short-range weapons, China has also deployed long-range systems on some of these islands. The infrastructure is evidently designed to discreetly house these mobile systems when they are inactive or not on high alert, allowing for the rapid deployment of additional capabilities as needed.

China builds artificial islands through a process called land reclamation, which involves dredging and depositing sand, sediment, and sometimes rock to create new land in shallow waters. They select shallow water areas, typically around reefs, atolls, or other natural features in the South China Sea. Dredging ships, also known as "dredgers," are employed to collect sand and sediment from the sea floor. These ships use large, rotating cutter heads to break up the seabed material, which is then sucked up through a pipe and deposited on the desired location. The dredged material is pumped onto the selected area, gradually building up layers to create an artificial landmass. This process can take several months or even years, depending on the size of the island being constructed.

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