China continues to strengthen its control over the hotly contested South China Sea, as recent analysis of satellite imagery appears to show that its artificial island outposts in the region have bolstered their intelligence, electronic warfare and defensive capabilities.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Why It Matters

Citing what it describes as " historic rights "—which The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in 2016 had no legal basis—China asserts sovereignty over most of the maritime features in the South China Sea, overlapping with its neighbors' claims.

As part of its efforts to tighten control over the waters, China maintains a persistent presence of naval and coast guard vessels, supported by reefs that have b

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