This began to change when China initiated an active policy of dredging sand to fill in reefs and build islands in at least five locations. Earlier this year, analysts released images of what is expected to be a 10,000-foot (3,000-meter) runway on Fiery Cross Reef.
当中国开始积极地在至少五个地方进行挖沙填礁造岛时，情况发生了改变。今年早些时候，分析师公布了一组影像，永暑礁上似乎正在建设一条3,000米长的跑道。