U.S. admiral: China fully militarized three islands in South China Sea

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• China has fully militarized at least three artificial islands in the South China Sea, U.S. Admiral John C. Aquilino said.
• During a U.S. Navy reconnaissance mission, it was revealed the islands were equipped with missile arsenals, radar systems, and aircraft hangars.
• China’s military now has the second-largest defense budget in the world just next to the U.S.

A top US military commander revealed that China has fully militarized at least three artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea.

US Indo-Pacific commander Admiral John C Aquilino said the islands are now equipped with “anti-ship and anti-aircraft missile systems, laser and jamming equipment and fighter jets with their own hangars. The admiral said China’s aggressive move threatens all countries operating nearby.

Previously, Chinese president Xi Jinping promised that Beijing would not turn the man-made islands into military bases.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Aquilino said that “Over the past 20 years we’ve witnessed the largest military buildup since world war two by [China]. He added that advancing the nation’s capabilities “is destabilizing to the region.”

Beijing insists that its military profile is purely defensive — to protect “its sovereign rights”. China now has the world’s second-largest defense budget only next to the US. Over the years, it has modernized its military with weapons systems including the J-20 stealth fighter, hypersonic missiles and two aircraft carriers. Another is reportedly under construction.

During a US navy reconnaissance mission, the aircraft flew near Chinese-held outposts in the South China Sea’s Spratly archipelago. The area is one of the most hotly contested regions in the world.

During the mission, the P-8A Poseidon plane was repeatedly warned by the Chinese to go away because it entered”China’s territory” illegally.

“China has sovereignty over the Spratly islands, as well as surrounding maritime areas. Stay away immediately to avoid misjudgment,” one of the callers warned

The US Navy plane, on which Aquilino was onboard, ignored the warnings.

“I am a sovereign immune United States naval aircraft conducting lawful military activities beyond the national airspace of any coastal state,” a US pilot radioed back to the Chinese.

“Exercising these rights is guaranteed by international law and I am operating with due regard to the rights and duties of all states,” he said.

Aquilino said the construction of missile arsenals, aircraft hangars, radar systems and other military facilities on Mischief Reef, Subi Reef and Fiery Cross appeared to have been completed but it remained to be seen if China would pursue the construction of military infrastructure in other areas.

He added that any military and civilian plane flying over the contested territory could easily get within range of the islands’ missile system.

“So that’s the threat that exists, that’s why it’s so concerning for the militarization of these islands,” he said. “They threaten all nations who operate in the vicinity and all the international sea and airspace.”

Six other nations — Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam — have also asserted claims over the contested waters.

Source: The Guardian