Chinese Naval Base Expansion Near Senkakus a New Concern

Analysis of satellite photos by the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals (JINF), chaired by Yoshiko Sakurai, has revealed the expansion of the Chinese naval base at Yuhuan. Located in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, it is the closest Chinese base to the Senkaku Islands in Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture.

According to JINF, the images show that the pier for large vessels has been extended. Additionally, the helipad for shipborne aircraft and the training grounds for the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) special operations forces appear to have been upgraded.

Notably, in July, four China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels were reported stationed at the base, marking an unusual development.

Upgrades to Military Facilities

The Yuhuan base is situated 345 kilometers (about 214 miles) from the Senkaku Islands. Analysis of the satellite images obtained by JINF suggests that facilities for the East Sea Fleet and the CCG's East China Sea Command are being developed simultaneously.

Construction of a helipad, believed to be for shipborne aircraft, began around 2020 and was completed in 2021. The pier was originally 350 meters (about 1,148 feet) long in February 2018. However, it has been extended to 1,740 meters as of May 2024.

Enhanced Capabilities for Rapid Deployment

Furthermore, facilities for loading armored vehicles onto amphibious landing ships and cargo vessels were also installed. This allows the docking of large vessels such as 5,000-ton class CCG ships and PLAN landing ships. Such facilities could support rapid transportation to both the Senkaku Islands and Taiwan.

The PLA Marine Corps special operations station on Hainan Island has an armed obstacle course. A similar facility is being constructed near the China Coast Guard base. It is possible that special police units of the CCG, responsible for tasks like inspections, are stationed and training there.

CCG vessels often assemble at the Yuhuan base before and after their month-long patrols around the Senkaku Islands. Typically, after completing their missions, the vessels stop by Yuhuan Island before returning to their home ports in Zhoushan (Zhejiang Province) or Shanghai. However, from July 7 to July 22, four vessels (CCG 2101, 2102, 2103, and 2501) remained stationed at Yuhuan Island.

It is believed that the four vessels patrolling around the Senkakus were stationed there to be reinforced if necessary. China may have been on standby, anticipating countermeasures from Japan. However, the vessels have left the base, likely due to an approaching typhoon near the Senkaku Islands.

Since June, all CCG vessels stationed near the Senkakus have been equipped with what appear to be autocannons.

China Coast Guard's Increasing Assertiveness

Additionally, the tone of statements from the China Coast Guard spokesperson has changed. After two CCG vessels entered Japanese territorial waters on July 10, Japan issued a formal protest.

In response, the spokesperson said on July 11: "We urge Japan to immediately cease all illegal activities in these waters. Otherwise, China reserves the right to take all countermeasures."

This statement was notably more assertive than previous ones, which had only urged "the prevention of similar incidents."

In late November 2023, President Xi Jinping inspected the CCG East Sea Command in Shanghai. There, he emphasized the "firm defense of territorial sovereignty and maritime rights."

Just earlier that month, Xi and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida had confirmed their desire to build a mutually beneficial strategic relationship.

The upgrades to the Yuhuan base and the stationing of the four CCG vessels reflect China's attempt to secure dominance around the Senkaku Islands. This calls for even closer cooperation between the Japan Coast Guard and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

(Read the article in Japanese.)

Author: Takashi Arimoto, The Sankei Shimbun