China sends four fighter jets to highly-contested island in the South China Sea, as tensions grow

Worrying new satellite images have captured a major Chinese military power play on one of the world’s most highly-contested islands.

Startling new satellite images show China has deployed at least four fighter jets to a highly contested island in the South China Sea.

Taken above the skies of Woody Island on Wednesday, the images mark a major military development in the disputed region.

China has never before placed its sophisticated J-10 fighter jets on Woody or any Chinese-controlled islands before — and the move comes as tensions in the region are on the rise.

Earlier this month, a Filipino fishing boat was hit by a Chinese vessel in the body of water, after which China was criticised for aggressive actions.

Analysts say the placement of fighter jets in the open is significant and shows they were on the contested island for up to 10 days.

Satellite images of four Chinese fighter jets on Woody Island in South China Sea. Picture: ImageSat International

Former Royal Australian Air Force officer and Griffith Asia Institute fellow Peter Layton told CNN it was almost as if China wanted the world to see them.

“They want you to notice them. Otherwise they would be parked in the hangars,” he said. “What message do they want you to take from them?”

Territorial conflicts in the region, which also involve Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei, have long been seen as a potential flashpoint for a major war.

Woody Island is particularly contested because it is part of the Parcel island chain, which is also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan.

It has been occupied by Chinese troops since 1974, and contains an airfield with twenty hangers.

Woody Island has been occupied by Chinese troops since 1974. Picture: Google Earth

The island is also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan. Picture: Google Earth

The situation in the region has worsened since 2016, when China said it could impose an air defence identification zone (ADIZ) over the sea — which would force aircraft entering the region to first inform the Chinese authorities.

The images have surfaced at an awkward time for Chinese President Xi Jinping, who is preparing to meet US President Donald Trump at the G-20 summit in Japan next week.

Despite fears of an escalation in the region, Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte this week called the sinking of a Filipino boat “a little maritime accident” and urged calm amid an outcry.

Twenty-two crewmen aboard the sunken boat were rescued by a Vietnamese fishing boat.

Mr Duterte said the June 9 incident at Reed Bank should not be blown out of proportion and should be investigated, and that China’s side should be heard.

Activists hit out at China placards and flags at a protest in Manila this week. Picture: Ted Aljibe/AFP

His reaction contrasted with that of some of his own officials, including the defence chief, who strongly condemned the Chinese vessel for sailing away as the fishing boat sank at night. The Department of Foreign Affairs filed a diplomatic protest against China.

However, Mr Duterte came under fire from nationalists and opposition politicians for his silence days after the incident was made public by Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.

One opposition senator called on the President to downgrade diplomatic ties with China, which has been criticised for aggressive actions in the disputed waters.

“It’s just a collision of ships, do not make it worse,” Mr Duterte said in his first public remarks about the incident, adding he would not reach any conclusion or take any action until an investigation is complete.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte said the sinking of a Filipino fishing boat earlier this month was an ‘accident’. Picture: Robinson Ninal Jr./Malacanang Presidential Photo via AP

“Let’s not get involved yet,” he told officials and personnel at a naval base in Cavite province, south of Manila, during the anniversary of the Philippines navy.

He warned that the “little maritime accident” could degenerate into a bigger conflict at a time when the Philippines military is still trying to modernise.

Normally known for his temper and spontaneous outbursts, Mr Duterte this time underscored the importance of handling the incident by the rule of law.

He said politicians who urged him to deploy the navy in response to the incident were “stupid,” although he did not identify any.

China has acknowledged its fishing vessel hit a Filipino boat in the vicinity of Reed Bank but denied the collision was intentional.

The boat’s sinking at the hands of Chinese military has sparked an outcry in the Philippines. Picture: Department of Agriculture via AP

The Chinese Embassy in Manila said that the Chinese vessel accidentally hit the Philippines boat as it tried to manoeuvre while surrounded by several other Philippines boats.

It said the Chinese captain tried to rescue the Filipinos but was afraid of being besieged by the other boats.

The Filipino fishermen denied China’s claims and said they would have died if they had not been rescued by the Vietnamese boat.

It was one of the most serious recent incidents in the disputed waters involving fishermen from the Philippines and China, whose ties have improved under Mr Duterte.

The Philippines leader moved to repair frayed relations as he sought Chinese infrastructure funds and trade and investment after taking office in 2016.