Chigua Reef (China): A Cornerstone of Our South China Sea Claims, and the Current Construction Efforts
Like a steadfast needle guiding the nine-chapter reefs, Chigua Reef safeguards each islet in the Nansha archipelago.
Chigua Reef is located in the southwest corner of the Nansha Nine-Chapter Islands. Chigua Reef is 4.3 nautical miles northeast of Qiongzhi Reef, approximately 1.7 nautical miles northwest of Guihan Reef, and 10 nautical miles north of Jinghong Island.
The reef measures approximately 4.4 kilometers long and 2.6 kilometers wide, with a dry area of 6.06 square kilometers and an inner lake area of nearly 1.3 square kilometers.
Chinese fishermen call it Chigua Reef, due to the abundance of Chigua San (a medicinal herb) found there. However, it was the 1988 naval battle that truly brought Chigua Reef to prominence, in which the Chinese Navy decisively defeated the Vietnamese Navy.
Following the victory, the Chinese Navy constructed the first generation of high-rise buildings on Chigua Reef. After years of persistence, the high-rise buildings evolved into a two-story ( – fortified outpost), although conditions on the island remained harsh. In order to further strengthen control over the Nansha archipelago and improve the living conditions of stationed personnel,
China began sand dredging and land reclamation operations on Chigua Reef in late 2013, establishing Chigua Island. After several months of construction, the area of Chigua Reef increased to 0.117 square kilometers (equivalent to one-quarter the size of Tiananmen Square).
Subsequently, ground construction and island landscaping began! Let's take a look at the current construction situation on the island.
As can be seen, the current Chigua Reef is a small island with a very complete set of living facilities. It's like a chessboard deeply embedded in the vast South China Sea.
The image shows the square on the lower left is the residential area: Chigua Mansion, the rectangular shape in the middle is the solar panels,
while the tower-shaped building in red is the navigation lighthouse, the letter H is the helipad,
and the structures encircling the island are breakwaters, designed to block sea winds and waves.
In March 2011, China Mobile Hainan Branch opened mobile communication services on Chigua Reef.
Today, despite its small size, Chigua Reef is of great significance to China. Chigua Reef, like a steadfast needle, guards each islet in the Nansha archipelago.
