China's transformation of Hainan Island from idyllic paradise to military powerhouse reflects its ambitions to assert power across the South China Sea and beyond.
Experts note that Beijing’s military buildup in Hainan serves multiple purposes: advancing global influence, securing strategic trade routes, and being prepared for potential conflict with the U.S. if Taiwan is threatened.
An extensive analysis highlighted that the military infrastructure value on Hainan and in surrounding waters surpassed $50 billion, overshadowing U.S. military installations in Hawaii.
The People's Liberation Army's investments over the last two decades have tripled the military infrastructure, marking Hainan as a significant base for China's rising military capabilities.
Collection
[
|
...
]