China Fully Militarizes Three Islands in the South China Sea/West Philippine Sea
China Fully Militarizes Three Islands in the South China Sea
China Fully Militarizes Three Islands in the South China Sea, US Admiral Says
China has fully militarized at least three of the several islands it built in the disputed South China Sea, arming them with anti-ship and anti-aircraft missile systems, laser and jamming equipment, and fighter jets. This increasingly aggressive move threatens all nations operating nearby, a top US military commander said on Sunday.
Chinese structures and buildings have transformed the man-made island on Mischief Reef at the Spratlys group of islands into fortified military bases. US Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral John C. Aquilino revealed that these developments starkly contrast with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s past assurances that Beijing would not militarize the artificial islands in the contested waters.
“Over the past 20 years, we’ve witnessed the largest military buildup since World War Two by the PRC,” Aquilino told the Associated Press in an interview, using the initials of China’s formal name. “They have advanced all their capabilities, and that buildup of weaponization is destabilizing to the region.”
Aggressive Military Expansion:
- Advanced Military Installations: The islands now host anti-ship and anti-aircraft missile systems, laser and jamming equipment, and fighter jets, posing a significant threat to all nations operating nearby.
- Strategic Military Bases: The militarization includes the construction of missile arsenals, aircraft hangars, radar systems, and other military facilities on Mischief Reef, Subi Reef, and Fiery Cross.
- Geopolitical Tensions: These actions directly challenge the assurances made by Chinese President Xi Jinping and exacerbate geopolitical tensions in the region.
During a patrol near the Chinese-held outposts in the South China Sea’s Spratly archipelago, Aquilino and his team experienced tense moments. Aboard a US Navy reconnaissance aircraft, they were repeatedly warned by Chinese callers that they had illegally entered China’s territory and were ordered to move away. However, the US Navy plane dismissed these warnings and continued its reconnaissance mission.
“China has sovereignty over the Spratly islands, as well as surrounding maritime areas. Stay away immediately to avoid misjudgment,” one of the stern radio messages said in a veiled threat.
Regional Implications:
The aggressive militarization of these islands allows China to expand its offensive capabilities far beyond its continental shores, threatening all military and civilian aircraft flying over the disputed waterway. The construction of these military facilities significantly increases China’s ability to project power in the region and challenges the free navigation of international waterways.
Aquilino emphasized that despite China’s aggression, territorial conflicts should be resolved peacefully. He cited the Philippine government’s successful move to bring its disputes with China to international arbitration in 2013 as a good template for peaceful resolution.