“They threaten all nations who operate in the vicinity and all the international sea and airspace.”Ĭhina sought to shore up its vast territorial claims over virtually the entire South China Sea by building island bases on coral atolls nearly a decade ago. “So that’s the threat that exists, that’s why it’s so concerning for the militarization of these islands,” he said. He said any military and civilian plane flying over the disputed waterway could easily get within range of the Chinese islands’ missile system.
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“They can fly fighters, bombers plus all those offensive capabilities of missile systems.” “The function of those islands is to expand the offensive capability of the PRC beyond their continental shores,” he said. Near Fiery Cross, more than 40 unspecified vessels could be seen apparently anchored.Īquilino said the construction of missile arsenals, aircraft hangars, radar systems and other military facilities on Mischief Reef, Subi Reef and Fiery Cross appeared to have been completed but it remains to be seen if China will pursue the construction of military infrastructure in other areas. flight crew calmly reminded the Chinese to comply with aviation safety regulations, he said.Īs the P-8A Poseidon flew as low as 15,000 feet near the Chinese-occupied reefs, some appeared to be like small cities on screen monitors, with multi-story buildings, warehouses, hangars, seaports, runways and white round structures Aquilino said were radars. aircraft in a dangerous maneuver in the disputed region. Navy commanding officer Joel Martinez, who led the P-8A Poseidon’s crew, said there has been an incident when a Chinese jet flew close to a U.S.
“Exercising these rights is guaranteed by international law and I am operating with due regard to the rights and duties of all states,” he said. “I am a sovereign immune United States naval aircraft conducting lawful military activities beyond the national airspace of any coastal state,” a U.S. Navy plane dismissed the multiple warnings and pressed on defiantly with its reconnaissance in brief but tense moments witnessed by two AP journalists invited onboard. Stay away immediately to avoid misjudgment,” one of the stern radio messages said in a veiled threat.īut the U.S. “China has sovereignty over the Spratly islands, as well as surrounding maritime areas. During the patrol, the P-8A Poseidon plane was repeatedly warned by Chinese callers that it illegally entered what they said was China’s territory and ordered the plane to move away. Navy reconnaissance aircraft that flew near Chinese-held outposts in the South China Sea’s Spratly archipelago, one of the most hotly contested regions in the world. and is rapidly modernizing its force with weapons systems including the J-20 stealth fighter, hypersonic missiles and two aircraft carriers, with a third under construction.Īquilino spoke with the AP onboard a U.S. But after years of increased military spending, China now boasts the world’s second largest defense budget after the U.S. Beijing maintains its military profile is purely defensive, arranged to protect what it says are its sovereign rights. Pacific Fleet Organization, United States Pacific Fleet Organization Commander in Chief, U.S.There were no immediate comments from Chinese officials.
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