China Tries to Build Sand Bases, Again || Apr. 10, 2026
China is out building sand castles again in the South China Sea, and I bet you can guess how it's going to end.
They're trying to do something that has already failed. These new sand-based structures will suffer from the same structural problems as last time, so runways will crack and infrastructure will become unstable.
The Chinese are surely assertive and persistent, but larger sand islands just mean a larger failure. Chalk this one up as a costly mistake rather than a serious military threat.
Comments (31)
I like your commentary and am a regular watcher. But your anti-Trump commentary gets in the way of your message. There is a lot to not like about Trump. I get that. But your sniping doesn't enhance the weight of your opinions. Knock it off, Bro.
The only thing protecting us from the imbeciles in power in this country, are the imbeciles in power in all the OTHER countries!
U.S. Navy is responding with a build-up of Wakesurfing boats. The sand bases will be washed away by a relentless assault of gnarly waves. The inevitable diplomatic kerfuffle will be resolved with a simple "Sorry, Bro".
It depends on how deep the sand is. They can solidify the sand using special polymers. If they can get to bedrock, they can build a stable foundation. Foundation work has advanced quite a bit, if the driller knows what they are doing.
China's a joke. Yeah, I said it. Come at me bro
If USA can't even handle Iran and trump is begging NATO to do something how will they even do anything against China or Russia
Seems like the US could strike any target in Iran on a whim and caused a ton of damage with very little lives loss. I wouldn't say they couldn't handle Russia or China lol
Might want to hold off on China predictions for a while
"Does this sound like anyone you know?" Perfect timing, I was thinking it as he said it.
Another brilliant leader
Hi @Peter, you seem to hike and backpack occasionally, do you have a favorite pack for day hikes, if so what is it? Thanks.
That was very entertaining, buying lots of popcorn as well Peter! Building sandcastles has always been fun!
I think that's a bit dismissive. The islands only need to last long enough to be useful in the South China Sea. If/when they take Taiwan, they won't need them anymore.
Things never go according to plan, though...
Haha, Peter is now a geotechnical engineer.
Well, you don't need to BE a geotechnical engineer to TALK TO a geotechnical engineer. Right?
New book title for you "The Time of the Three Mad Kings and the Bloody Princes"
Trump found his sand in the Middle East...
Definitely rebuilt the USA relationship with the Iranian peeps on a sandy platform. Like yah, we’ll save all you Iranian protesters from your oppressive government by threatening genocide on your asses. Reminds me of some past relationships I’ve had- no doubt built on sand. Please pass the popcorn Peter.
The point nobody seems to grasp is that these bases are no longer defendable. As we have recently learned by examples in Russia, the Gulf States and Israel etc. The greatest militaries in the world are getting obliterated by swarms of drones and hypersonic missiles.
Peter panter
Is it possible that the Chinese have learned how to improve their island building technology in the past seven years to make the new one more stable and resistant to settling than previous attempts? Is it possible that size matters?
Doubtful. Communism is built around telling the boss that everything is fine.
Would love to hear a bit more about how China is coping with this energy crisis. Or how the China-Iran relationship is evolving. Or the drills near Taiwan/Philippines/etc. Or whether tariffs have really had an impact. Or whether these military purges have changed dynamics in the Politburo and China's military preparedness. Or China's advances in AI and data harvesting. Or about China dominating the electric vehicle industry. Or how China is manipulating trade (including rare earths.) Or how China's relationships with it's neighbours is evolving (Myanmar, India, etc.) It is a globally consequential economy and globally consequential population after all...
Recommending online reading. https://www.reuters.com/graphics/IRAN-CRISIS/CHINA-OIL/egpbeormkvq/
Happy happy joy joy!! (Yes, we are doing Ren and Stimpy references today!) We have bases on real islands and Japan and the Philippines are allies!! Thanks, grandparents, wherever you are!!
I wonder what kind of popcorn spice Peter prefers.
Trump, Putin, Xi. What kind of world would it be without those three?
Boring?
I’m buying stock in Orville Redenbacher and Act II. Peter’s popcorn expenditures probably exceed our national defense budget, by this point!
Can’t we just burn more coal, raise global sea levels and #SinkBabySink these islands?