Chinese dredging vessels are purportedly seen in the waters around Fiery
Cross Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea in
this still image from video taken by a P-8A Poseidon surveillance
aircraft provided by the United States Navy May 21, 2015. Source:
Reuters
CHINA has reportedly installed anti-ship cruise missiles and
surface-to-air missile systems on three reefs claimed by the Philippines
in disputed waters of the South China Sea.
The installation of the missiles has raised concerns by the United
States and, if confirmed, would mark the first Chinese missile
deployments in the Spratly islands, according to the Inquirer.
However, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying neither confirmed nor denied the deployment.
“China’s peaceful construction in the Spratly archipelago, including the
deployment of necessary national defense facilities, is aimed at
protecting China’s sovereignty and security,” Hua was quoted as saying.
“Those who don’t intend to violate [this sovereignty] have no reason to worry,” she said.
The Philippines’ presidential palace said it did not have confirmed reports on the missile deployment.
On Wednesday, US news network CNBC reported
that China had installed the missile systems on three outposts in the
South China Sea. It cited sources with direct knowledge of US
intelligence.
Asked about the report, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told a
regular news briefing that the US was “well aware of China’s
militarization of the South China Sea.
“We’ve raised concerns directly with the Chinese about this and there
will be near-term and long-term consequences,” she said, as quoted by Reuters.
Sanders did not say what the consequences might be.
U.S. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders holds the daily
briefing at the White House in Washington, DC, US, May 3, 2018. Source:
Reuters
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said US intelligence
had seen some signs that China had moved some weapons systems to the
Spratly Islands in the past month or so, but offered no details.
The sources said US intelligence assessments found the missiles were
moved to Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef and Mischief Reef in the Spratly
Islands within the past 30 days.
Asian countries including Vietnam and Taiwan have rival claims over the Spratlys.
Julie Bishop, the foreign minister of US ally Australia, said the
reports, if accurate, would be a concern as the actions would be
contrary to China’s stated aspiration not to militarize the features.
Construction of an airstrip is shown on Fiery Cross, in the Spratly
Islands, the disputed South China Sea in this March 9, 2017 satellite
image released by CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) to Reuters on
March 27, 2017. Source: CSIS/AMTI DigitalGlobe/Handout via Reuters
“China, of course, has a unique responsibility as a permanent member of
the Security Council, to uphold peace and security around the world,”
Bishop told reporters in Queensland. “Any action to militarize
unilaterally features in the South China Sea would go against that
responsibility and that role.”
CNBC said the YJ-12B anti-ship cruise missiles allowed China to strike
vessels within 295 nautical miles. It said the HQ-9B long-range,
surface-to-air missiles could target aircraft, drones and cruise
missiles within 160 nautical miles.
