China’s Island Construction in South China Sea No Threat, Says Foreign Minister
Foreign Minister Wang Yi says work is lawful, necessary and in China’s ‘own yard’
http://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-island-construction-in-south-china-sea-no-threat-says-foreign-minister-1425803041?tesla=y
By JEREMY PAGE
March 8, 2015 5:24 a.m. ET
35 COMMENTS
BEIJING—China’s foreign minister defended his government’s efforts to reclaim and develop land around disputed reefs and islands in the South China Sea, saying the work was “necessary” and posed no threat to other nations.
“This construction does not target or affect anyone,” Wang Yi said at a news conference Sunday on the sidelines of an annual meeting of parliament.
“We are not like some countries who engage in illegal construction in another person’s house, and we do not accept criticism from others when we are merely building facilities in our own yard. We have every right to do things that are lawful and justified.”
Satellite images show China has significantly expanded reclamation and construction work on several reefs it controls in the disputed Spratly Islands in the past two years, raising fresh concerns in the U.S. and Asia about increasing Chinese assertiveness in the region.
Photos: Expanding ‘Fortresses’ in South China Sea
Construction of islands shows Beijing isn’t backing off of territorial ambitions
Now, Fiery Cross Reef has been transformed into an artificial island at least 3,000 yards long that experts say is big enough to include an airstrip and could become a Chinese command and control center for military operations in the area. Seen here in November.
Satellite images show a dramatic expansion of Chinese outposts in the South China Sea. Here, a structure at Gaven Reefs is seen at left in March last year. At right, the same area is seen in January, with an artificial island linked by a causeway to the original outpost.
A satellite image of Gaven Reefs shows a Chinese-built structure nearly a year ago.
A more-recent image from August shows China’s progress on additional construction projects at Gaven Reefs.
An image from January shows China’s artificial island at Gaven Reefs linked by a causeway to the original installation.
Another Chinese outpost at Johnson South Reef is seen from a satellite in February 2006. The reef was the site of a skirmish in 1988 between Vietnamese and Chinese forces. The Chinese, who won control of the reef, have had a tiny outpost here for years.
The Johnson South Reef in June last year.
The original outpost at Johnson South Reef, seen here in January, has been incorporated into an artificial island including a helipad and a cement plant.
The original Chinese installation at Hughes Reef, seen here in 2004, covered an area of 380 square meters. It has since been expanded into an artificial island covering some 75,000 square meters.
Construction expands on Hughes Reef in August.
Hughes Reef in January this year.
Fiery Cross Reef had only a small installation until last year. It is seen here in July, before construction expanded dramatically.
Satellite images show a frigate and other structures at Fiery Cross Reef in August.
Now, Fiery Cross Reef has been transformed into an artificial island at least 3,000 yards long that experts say is big enough to include an airstrip and could become a Chinese command and control center for military operations in the area. Seen here in November.
Satellite images show a dramatic expansion of Chinese outposts in the South China Sea. Here, a structure at Gaven Reefs is seen at left in March last year. At right, the same area is seen in January, with an artificial island linked by a causeway to the original outpost.
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Satellite images show a dramatic expansion of Chinese outposts in the South China Sea. Here, a structure at Gaven Reefs is seen at left ... A satellite image of Gaven Reefs shows a Chinese-built structure nearly a year ago. IHS JANE'S A more-recent image from August shows China’s progress on additional construction projects at Gaven Reefs. IHS JANE'S An image from January shows China’s artificial island at Gaven Reefs linked by a causeway to the original installation. IHS JANE'S Another Chinese outpost at Johnson South Reef is seen from a satellite in February 2006. The reef was the site of a skirmish in 1988 between Vietnamese and Chinese forces. The Chinese, who won control of the reef, have had a tiny outpost here for years. GOOGLE The Johnson South Reef in June last year. GOOGLE The original outpost at Johnson South Reef, seen here in January, has been incorporated into an artificial island including a helipad and a cement plant. IHS JANE'S The original Chinese installation at Hughes Reef, seen here in 2004, covered an area of 380 square meters. It has since been expanded into an artificial island covering some 75,000 square meters. GOOGLE Construction expands on Hughes Reef in August.
IHS JANE'S Hughes Reef in January this year. IHS JANE'S Fiery Cross Reef had only a small installation until last year. It is seen here in July, before construction expanded dramatically. GOOGLE Satellite images show a frigate and other structures at Fiery Cross Reef in August. IHS JANE'S Now, Fiery Cross Reef has been transformed into an artificial island at least 3,000 yards long that experts say is big enough to include an airstrip and could become a Chinese command and control center for military operations in the area. Seen here in November. IHS JANE'S
U.S. officials have spoken out in recent weeks against the construction work, which defense experts say could form a network of island fortresses to help enforce Chinese control of most of the South China Sea—one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.
Vietnam publicly protested China’s reclamation work last week. Vietnam and other countries with South China Sea claims have also built infrastructure on islands and reefs they control, but on a much smaller scale than China, U.S. officials and defense experts say.
China’s claims cover almost all of the South China Sea, and overlap with those of Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan and the Philippines—a U.S. treaty ally. Many of those countries have bolstered defense ties with the U.S. in recent years in response to what they see as Beijing’s enhanced efforts to enforce its claims.
In the past year, China has tried to improve relations with its neighbors by unveiling plans for massive investment in roads, pipelines, ports and other infrastructure that it says will help to build new overland and maritime trade routes between Asia and Europe.
ENLARGE
Mr. Wang said China had made progress in negotiations with India over their disputed Himalayan border, without giving details. China lodged an official protest last month when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited one of the disputed border areas.
Mr. Wang also didn’t rule out inviting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to a military parade in China marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. Asked if Mr. Abe would come, he said all world leaders were welcome at the parade “as long as they come in sincerity.” But he reiterated China’s stance that Japan needed to reflect on its wartime aggression.
Asked if North Korean leader Kim Jong Un would attend the parade, on what would be his first visit to China since taking power in late 2011, Mr. Wang said the two sides would have to see when it was “convenient” for their leaders to meet.
Write to Jeremy Page at jeremy.page@wsj.com
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[jamawns' comment]
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CCP is stupid today as usual.
As ISIL enjoys massacre non-Sunni and/or non-supporters for ISIL, Communists have massacred non-communists and/or non-supporters for communism.
As ISIL obeys crazy rule of violence and fear, communism has obeyed mad rule of violence and fear.
As ISIL killed the person who think by himself beyond ISIL rule, communist has killed the person who think by himself beyond communism rule.
Therefore, both ISIL and communism have no freedom of soul, thought and belief.
