Washington/Canberra: Indicating that it would brook no compromise on the issue of the disputed South China Sea, the US’ Donald Trump administration on Thursday threatened China that it would face “consequences” for military buildup in this marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean.
“We are well aware of China’s militarisation of the South China Sea. We’ve raised concerns directly with the Chinese leadership about this. And there will be near-term and long-term consequences,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders told media persons in response to a question on the Chinese military build-up in the South China Sea and other parts of the world.
On May 3, several media reports maintained that China had installed anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems on three outposts in the South China Sea.
China defended the deployment of anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems in the disputed waters, saying it has “indisputable sovereignty” over the area.
Australia has also warned Beijing against militarization of the South China Sea. Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said it was worrisome if reports of China installing missile systems in the Spratley Islands were true.
China is engaged in hotly contested territorial disputes in both the South China Sea and the East China Sea. China claims almost all of South China Sea. Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counter claims.
