South_China_Sea_Map

As early as 1983, China was assessed to have the ability to take islands such as Vietnam’s Bach Long Vi via an amphibious assault. China conducted flights over Northeast Cay in 1980, and Malaysia’s Swallow Reef in 1983. Deficiencies in China’s air-defenses and limited naval power-projection capabilities have been addressed by modern destroyers and amphibious warfare ships. Larger image available below.