CHINESE ACTIVITY IN THE PARACEL ISLANDS

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP08C01297R000200120004-5
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
S
Document Page Count: 
14
Document Creation Date: 
December 22, 2016
Document Release Date: 
October 26, 2012
Sequence Number: 
4
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
October 19, 1971
Content Type: 
MEMO
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CIA-RDP08C01297R000200120004-5.pdf4.71 MB
Body: 
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 SECRET 25X1 MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Regional Analysis Division, OSR SUBJECT Chinese Activity in. the Paracel Islands 1. This memorandum is in response to your request for a continuing study of the extent and nature of Chinese activity in the Paracel Islands.. It specifically deals with the activity observed on Woody Island (16-50N. I12-20E). Paracel Islands 2. The Paracel Islands are composed of coral islands, reefs, and shoals located approximately 165 nm southeast of Hai-nan Island and 300 nm due east of the Vietnamese DMZ. Three of these islands are permanently inhabited. The most significant activity is on Woody Island (Yung-hsing Tao) (see Figure I). Nearby Rocky Islet(Shih Tao) and Lincoln Island, some 25 nm southeast of Woody, are also inhabited. The exact nature of the activity on Rocky Islet is as yet undetermined, while Lincoln Island con- tains only a probable communications site., Woody Island . 3. Woody Island is a low, coral island approximately 6000 by 4000 feet in size The island is covered by rain forest interspersed with plantings of coconut palm. Numerous vegetable gardens are located in the coconut groves or in clearings in. the forest. Activity is concentrated along the western shore which is shown on Figures 2 and 3. SECRET 25X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 SUBJECT: Chinese Activity in the Paracel Islands ,,25X1 Activity in 1962 4. Visible on the photography are three square observation 25X1 towers, a lighthouse which was never completed, a meteorological station with four stick masts, and 45 miscellaneous buildings. There are also eight subsurface tanks which are probably, cisterns. Activity in 1971 25X1 25X1 with construction continuing.throughout the period. Between April and August 1971, a dredge cleared a channel to a berthing area adjacent to a compacted earthen wharf that existed in 1962. The dredged channel is deep enough to accommodate coastal freighters. Two large circular excavations directly inland from the dredged channel were begun in April 1971. A pro- bable fuel tank was in the northernmost. excavation on 3 September 1971. A tower of undetermined function had been erected a short distance north of the lighthouse. A stick mast was placed on the existing tower located south of the built-up area. A distinctive new building just inland from the dredged channel contains a tall square tower. A number of buildings present in 1962 have been refurbished, and four have been modified. Between 1962 and II September 1971 eighty-six new buildings or structures were completed or under construction. Of these, at least 19 are probably quarters as opposed to barracks buildings. 6. I I-a considerable increase in 25X1 clearing of vegetation and filling of low areas in the built-up portion of the island. Paired circular excavations were observed at the eastern tip of the island and also south of the tower (No. 91.). A single excavation of the same size is near Item 3. Three rectangular excavations along the trail east of Buildin 15 25X1 The purpose of a l l of these excavations 25X1 has not been determined. Naval Activity 7. One Kiangnan DE, four probable Shanghai II PGM, two coastal freighters, two probable Yunnan LCM, and two barges were present 25X1 Two Kiangnan DE were offshore and a coastal freight25X1 was in the berthing area. The dredge which had been present on all previous 1971 coverage was gone and pipe sections were 25X1 2 SECRET 25X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 SUBJECT: Chinese Activity in tho Paracel Islands being disassembled on the beach. Although development of Woody Island as a .naval facility is indicated, ship handling facilities such as cranes, repair ways, or adequate docking space are lacking. The dredged channel bypasses the small earthen wharf that was present for years, and the freighter berthed on 3 September is using a barge as a breasting platform. 25X1 8. The a ttached briefing board provides overall photograph 25X1 of Woody and R ocky Islands and photographs of activity on the western por tion of Woody Islan d (Figures 2 and 3). The ov er- 25X1 lays on Figures 2 and 3 allow for a detailed building comparison 25X1 The numbers on the overlay to 25X1 Figure 3 are keyed to the legend which provides the most likely function of each building 25X1 .10. If you have any questions call) the Regional Studies Division This project is continuing. Attachment: I Briefing Board 25X1 25X1 SFCRF 25X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 ?" _ SECRET SUBJECT: Chinese Activity in the Paracel Islands Distribution: Orig - Addressee 25X1 SECRET 25X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/10/26: CIA-RDP08CO1297R000200120004-5