COMMUNIST CHINA: THE RED CHINESE AND THE PARACEL ISLANDS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP08C01297R000200120001-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 26, 2012
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: September 1, 1961
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120001-8
SECRET WEEKLY INTELLIGENCE DIGEST No. 34-61
CONTENTS
SPECIAL REPORT
COMMUNIST CHINA: THE RED CHINESE AND THE PARACEL ISLANDS I I 2
25X1
25X1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120001-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120001-8
SECRET WEEKLY INTELLIGENCEDIGEST'"---"- _No. 35-61
00'e - .440too
SPECIATL-REPORT
COMMUNIST CHINA: THE RED CHINESE AND THE PARACEL ISLANDS I I 25X1
Chinese Communist occupation in the controversial Paracel Islands appears to be
keyed for long-range tenancy. Recently, in the Amphitrite Group new construction of per-
manent-type buildings appeared, and Red Chinese visits of naval patrol ships in the escort
and submarine-chaser size are frequent. Woody Island, 180 miles south of Hainan, appears
to be the center of activity with a new breakwater reported under construction between Woody
and Rocky Islands. *
The Chinese Communists initiated their colonization of the Paracels in mid-1955 in
an intensive effort to exploit the limited natural resources of fishing and excavating guano
deposits. However, ownership of the Paracels has been a confused and conflicting question
of long standing. Although South Vietnam and Communist China both lay claim to the Paracels,
the archipelago presently is divided into two camps-the Crescent Group claimed by the
South Vietnamese who occupy Pattle Island, and the Amphitrite Group claimed by the Chinese
*Other names for Woody Island are Boisee Island and Yunghsing Tao.
PATTLE IS.
(Vietnamese)
North Reef''
Crescent Grou
Discovery Reef'-'
Tourane
Hong Kong
Pratas';
SOUTH CHINA SEA
WOODY IS.
(ChiCom)
Am hi trite Group
Lincoln I.
Bombay Reef
PINES
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120001-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120001-8
SECRET WEEKLY INTELLIGENCE DIGEST No. 35-61
Woody Island
Communists who occupy Woody Island, a few smaller islands, and Lincoln Island. *
The objectives of the Chinese Communists in the Paracels may include more than
innocent fishing and excavating of fertilizer. US overflights usually are immediately followed
by Peiping claims of "provocations and aggression. " These warnings probably have a two-
fold purpose: 1) to reinforce Red Chinese claims to the islands, and 2) to eliminate US aerial
reconnaissance. In Communist eyes, forced cessation of the US flights could imply tacit
*In February 1959 on Duncan Island South Vietnamese marines seized 50 Chinese Commu-
nists fishermen who were released a week later. The only notable consequence was stepped
up Peiping propaganda of South Vietnamese "pillage" and "piracy". Since that time the South
Vietnamese and Chinese Communists generally have confined their activities to the respective
western and eastern groups.
Breakwater under construction between Rocky and Woody Islands nears completion.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120001-8
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08C01297R00020012000l-8
'SECRET WEEKLY INTELLIGENCE DIGEST No. 35-61
recognition of their claims.
The Paracel Islands as a whole do not appear to offer much military worth since they
consist largely of coral reefs and coral sand keys. On the small islands, vegetation is largely
restricted to dense scrub five to six feet high. Larger islands of the Paracel Islands have
dense forests with trees up to 40 feet tall. These forests are interrupted by patches of scrub
about 10 feet in height.
Adequate supplies of fresh water for most military operations are generally unavail-
able. Surface water is lacking and ground water is commonly brackish. Meager amounts
of fresh ground water may be obtained locally from shallow wells in sand. However, unless
the rate of pumping in such wells is carefully regulated to balance the rate of intake, the
water will become brackish or salty. Rainwater collected in tanks may also provide a limited
supply.
The soil, composed of light colored stones or coral sand a few inches to several feet
deep, is slightly darkened by organic matter in areas of vegetation. The ground is dry except
when it is actually raining, and cross-country movement is possible in all kinds of weather
on bare coral sand surfaces for both tracked and wheeled vehicles. Surfaces covered with
coral rubble and steep rocky slopes are unsuited to cross-country movement. Clearing of
vegetation also would be required for cross-country vehicular movement on the larger Woody
and Lincoln Islands. Much work would be necessary for construction of any landing facilities
for aircraft.
The smaller reefs and most of the sand keys are not large enough to support either
road networks or runways long enough for most military aircraft.
The islands generally are unsuited for the construction of any type of underground
installation. Although the coral is easily worked for the construction of tunnel-type installa-
tions, excavations for bunker-type installations would fill with water.
Obviously, the islands leave much to be desired for emplacing field fortification type
defenses. However, the Japanese found military exploitation worthwhile during World War
New construction evidenced by pier. Left photo taken March 1958, right photo July 1960.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08C01297R000200120001-8