China has begun work on constructing a colossal ‘floating artificial island’ that they claim could survive a nuclear attack.

The 78,000-tonne semi-submersible platform is being hailed as the world’s first mobile, self-sustaining artificial island, and is set to launch in 2028.

With a displacement comparable to China’s latest Fujian aircraft carrier and room for 238 people to live and work for four months at a time, defence analysts have warned it could project Chinese influence into contested waters like never before.

Read more: China begins work on ‘world-first floating artificial island’ that can withstand nuclear blasts and ‘project unprecedented power across contested oceans’