Beijing tightening grip on South China Sea
By Masahiko Takekoshi and Seima Oki / Yomiuri Shimbun Correspondents China is stepping up the mili-tarization of natural and artificial islands it effectively controls in the South China Sea. The issue was discussed during U.S.-China foreign ministerial talks on Tuesday, but the meeting ended with both sides failing to see eye-to-eye.
China’s flexing of its muscles — including the deployment of new, long-range surface-to-air missiles and fighter jets to the Paracel Islands, and the establishment of airfield facilities and radar installations in the Spratly Islands — is fueling fear that Beijing will assume control of the South China Sea in the future.
Before their joint press conference following their meeting in Washington, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi shook hands in an apparent indication that their relationship was cordial. But when the issue of the South China Sea came up, both suddenly assumed grim expressions.
“Regrettably, there are missiles and fighter aircraft and guns, artillery, and other things that have been placed into the South China Sea, and this is of great concern to everyone who transits and relies on the South China Sea for peaceful trade, commerce, and use,” Kerry said.
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