Kerry Voices Concern Over Militarization in S China Sea

A U.S. official confirmed the accuracy of the photos, Fox News said.

China has deployed surface-to-air missiles on a disputed island in the South China Sea, Taiwan said on Wednesday, as Beijing insisted it had a right to build “self-defence” systems in the strategic region.

“Woody Island belongs to China”, said Ni Lexiong, a naval expert at the Shanghai University of Political Science and Law.

The statement asserted that the Paracel Islands were Chinese territory and that China had the legal right to deploy defensive measures to protect its territorial sovereignty and integrity.

Wang said China’s construction of military infrastructure was “consistent with the right to self-preservation and self- protection that China is entitled to under global law, so there should be no question about that”.

Reports of the missile batteries on Woody Island prompted China’s neighbors to appeal for restraint Wednesday amid concerns Beijing was changing the status quo in the region.

China claims 90 per cent of the 3.5 million sq km South China Sea, and its maritime ambitions have led to tensions with its neighbours, angry at what they see as Beijing’s militarisation of the region.

“We can not accept this fact”, Suga added.

China’s Military has deployed a battery of surface-to-air missiles on a disputed island under its control in the South China Sea, escalating tension in the region where Beijing is locked in maritime disputes with several countries.

The reported move by China comes as President Obama hosted 10 Asian leaders in California, many of those concerned over China’s recent activity in the South China Sea.

He also urged all parties involved to refrain from taking any action that would worsen the situation.

The Philippines also said the development increased regional tensions. “There is the aftermath of the North Korea missile test and nuclear test the ASEAN Summit significant political change in Taiwan ongoing domestic challenges – economy corruption investigations -yet the Chinese leadership remains confident it can at the same time manage the global reaction to its missile deployment” he said.

The United States has also twice sent warships to patrol near disputed islands held by China. Vietnam and the Philippines claim much of the ocean, as well. During a visit to Washington previous year, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged not to militarise the Spratlys, though he made no mention of the Paracels, and Medcalf said the latest move violated “the spirit, if not the letter” of that assurance.

“China’s presence is tacitly accepted”.

It could lead to more military deployments in the area in the future, according to the analysts. Over half of the world’s commercial shipping passes through the waterways in the South China Sea.

They are claimed by a number of Southeast Asian countries.

We’ve repeatedly stated our stance; the constructions on relevant islands by China are mainly to provide more public service to the worldwide community as well as to facilitate rescue, fishery and medical operations.