Beijing Thursday reasserted its right to build "defense" facilities in the disputed South China Sea, but declined to confirm reports it had installed new missiles on artificial islands it has built in the region. The Chinese army installed anti-ship and air-to-air defenses on outposts also
Beijing Thursday reasserted its right to build “defense” facilities in the disputed South China Sea, but declined to confirm reports it had installed new missiles on artificial islands it has built in the region.
The Chinese army installed anti-ship and air-to-air defenses on outposts also claimed by Vietnam and the Philippines over the last 30 days, U. S. network CNBC reported Wednesday, citing sources close to US intelligence.
If the information is verified, it could provoke renewed tensions between countries bordering the strategically vital maritime region.
At a regular briefing on Thursday, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman 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,” she said.
