China builds up forces on island off Vietnam

Responding to the establishment of a major Soviet base at Cam Ranh Bay, China is building up its own military forces on Hainan Island opposite Vietnam, diplomatic sources said. The expansin involving chinese air, naval, ground, and missile forces has been under way for at least a year on the island in the Gulf of Tonkin. Extra ground forces have been moved t the island, which has been virtually closed to the outside world for years except for the visits of occasional Western experts. The Chinese have also stationed more patrol boats, troop-carrying helicopters, and MIG fighters, and bolstered its missile units in the area.