U.S.: China sent fighter jets to disputed island
China sent fighter jets to a disputed island in the South China Sea, U.S. officials said.
The news was first reported Tuesday by Fox News, which said U.S. intelligence spotted two jets on Woody Island in the last few days. The report came as Secretary of State John Kerry hosted Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Washington.
Woody Island, the largest in the disputed Paracel Islands chain, is claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam. China has occupied the island since 1974.
U.S. Pacific Command spokesman Capt. Darryn James on Wednesday confirmed that China sent warplanes to the island.
"China has deployed some of its most advanced fighter aircraft to Woody Island over the last couple of years, which continues a disturbing trend of militarization on disputed features in the South China Sea," he said.
"These destabilizing actions are inconsistent with the commitment by China and all claimants to exercise restraint from actions that could escalate disputes," he added. "That's why we've called for all claimants to stop land reclamation, stop construction and stop militarization in the South China Sea."
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying did not confirm or deny that the jets were deployed to the island at a briefing Wednesday. She said China had sovereignty over the Paracel Islands and that its activities there were “beyond reproach.” The Paracel Island chain is made up of 130 islands scattered over 6,000 square miles of the South China Sea.
Satellite imagery earlier this month showed that China deployed advanced anti-aircraft batteries on Woody Island.
The South China Sea has become a flashpoint as China and countries in the region seek control of trade routes and under-sea mineral deposits. China has been hauling massive amounts of sand and other material to build on reefs and other features, setting up landing strips.
China says it is building the islands mainly for civil purposes and that the intention is to provide more goods and services to the international community.