New satellite images recently released by the Israeli intelligence firm ImageSat International (ISI) suggest that Chinese surface-to-air missile systems previously stationed on a contested South China Sea island have either been removed or relocated.
Woody Island, the largest island in the disputed Paracel Islands chain, hosts several Chinese military installations, including systems for defending the island from sea and aerial attack. But now it seems that some of them have gone missing.
Analysts, as they typically do, have their own theories regarding the disappearing act. According to Beijing-based naval expert Li Jie, the systems might have been temporarily removed in order to undergo maintenance work.
“Because of the humid weather, plus a recent typhoon in the region, it is likely that those systems needed to be temporarily removed for repair or to have some of the parts replaced,” Li told the South China Morning Post. How long they'll be gone depends on what kind of servicing they need.
“[A redeployment] would happen much faster if it's just to change some small parts, but if the whole system needs to be replaced, then it would take much longer because it needed to be shipped back to places like Hainan for replacement,” he added.
Two unidentified US defense officials told CNN it was very unlikely Beijing opted to completely remove the missile system, and suggested instead it's just hidden inside buildings on the island.
ISI suggested the…
