BEIJING — Beijing on Monday dismissed as
“irresponsible” US criticism of its construction of an artificial island
reportedly large enough for an airstrip in a disputed section of the South
China Sea.
The statement
by China’s foreign ministry came after a US military spokesman urged Beijing to
stop what it described as a vast land reclamation project on the Spratly
Islands.
The island
chain, which the Chinese call Nansha, is also claimed in whole or part by the
Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and Brunei.
“External
forces have no right to make irresponsible remarks,” foreign ministry
spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular briefing when asked about
Washington’s comments.
“The
construction activities China is undertaking are for the improvement of the
working and living conditions of the island-stationed personnel, so that they
can better fulfill their international obligations and responsibilities in
search and rescue,” she added.
A report last
week by IHS Jane’s Defence revealed new details of a land reclamation project
China is undertaking on Fiery Cross Reef, known as Yongshu in Chinese.
Beijing claims
nearly all of the resource-rich South China Sea, while Brunei, Malaysia, the
Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have their own claims, several of them also
building structures on reefs or occupying islands.
According to
the IHS Jane’s Defence report the artificial island is 3,000 meters (9,842
feet) long and 200-300 meters wide, one of several reclamation projects being
pursued by China in the region but apparently the first that could accommodate
an airstrip.
A harbor has
been dug out on the east side of the reef that appears large enough for tankers
and naval warships, it said.
Days after the
report, US military spokesman Lt. Col. Jeffrey Pool called on China and other
governments to cease such construction.
Outspoken
People’s Liberation Army Maj. Gen. Luo Yuan also defended the project, which he
called “completely legitimate and justifiable” in an interview with the
state-run Global Times newspaper.
“The US is
obviously biased considering that the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam have
already set up military facilities,” Luo was quoted as saying.
In a separate
editorial the newspaper contended that China was building on the reef “mainly
to improve the living standards of the reef-stationed soldiers.”
“China’s
construction on the Yongshu Reef will not be affected by US words,” the paper
wrote.
It added: “The
Yongshu Reef is becoming a big island, which shows China’s prominent
construction capabilities.”
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