China defended its land reclamation in the disputed Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) on Monday, saying the work is for public-service use, although a London-based security group says the new island could host a military airfield to intimidate neighbors.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hua Chunying said the construction on some reefs in the archipelago is “mainly aimed at improving the working and living conditions of the Chinese staff working there so that they can better perform international obligations in terms of search, rescue and other
public services.”
In a recent report, IHS Jane’s said satellite images taken in August and November showed that Chinese dredgers had created a land mass almost the entire length of Fiery Cross Reef, which was previously under water. The security group said it is the largest construction project China has undertaken in the
island chain.
IHS Jane’s said the new island— at least 3,000 meters (9,840 feet) long—could be China’s first military airstrip in the Spratly Islands and might be aimed at helping Beijing impose its sovereignty claims over neighboring countries that also claim the territory.
“Given its massive military advantage over the other claimants in terms of quantity and quality of materiel, this facility appears purpose-built to coerce other claimants into relinquishing their claims and possessions, or at least provide China with a much stronger negotiating position if talks over the dispute were ever held,” the report said.
Hua told a regular news briefing on Monday that such remarks were “irresponsible” and that China has “indisputable sovereignty” over the Spratly Islands, which are also claimed by Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam.
She said China has insisted that maritime disputes be resolved peacefully and through negotiations.
China is likely to withstand international pressure over Fiery Cross Reef, Major General Luo Yuan said, according to a report in the Global Times, a state-run newspaper.
In the past three months, China reclaimed land around the reef, creating an island large enough to enable its first airstrip in the Spratly Islands, IHS Jane’s reported on November 20, citing satellite pictures of the area.
Artificial islands could help China anchor its territorial assertions and potentially develop bases near waters that host some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. China claims about 90 percent of the South China Sea, parts of which are also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.
The US urged China to stop
reclaiming land and engage in diplomatic initiatives to encourage all claimants to show restraint, Agence France-Presse reported, citing Pentagon Spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Pool. In August China rebuffed efforts by US Secretary of State John Kerry to secure a freeze on any action that might provoke tensions in the waters.
Living conditions
China’s construction activities in the islands are to improve working and living conditions of stationed personnel to aid them fulfill their search and rescue obligations, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hua Chunying told reporters today in Beijing.