CHINESE ACTIVITY IN THE PARACEL ISLANDS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• 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
• Publication Date: October 19, 1971
• Content Type: MEMO

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