[quote=FlyerInHi][quote=ocrenter]
These man-made islands are akin to stantionary aircraft carriers. The US can park one right next to it and the Chinese would not be able to do anything.[/quote]
The US has not done anything. So win for China.
But if the US were to park an aircraft carrier there, China could just bide its time, iddle the island with minimal staff and move on to something else. The US would be stuck there spending vast resources. And if/when we leave, China would return. Egg on our faces.
China can operate from land, but the US must project power over the ocean. The resources assymetry is hugely is favor of China which explains why the US has done nothing.[/quote]
You make it sound like building man made islands in the middle of an ocean hundreds of miles from your nearest territory is easy and cheap.
And for what purpose? No international body would recognize it, they can’t gain EEZ benefit out of it. This is basically expensive squatting in the middle of the ocean.
