China Responds to Criticism of South China Sea Artificial Island Militarization as "Sovereign Nation's Right"

Artificial Islands in the South China Sea Completely Transformed into Chinese Military Facilities
[Image Source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] China claimed that its construction and militarization of artificial islands in the disputed South China Sea is a "sovereign nation's right" in response to U.S. criticism.

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing on the 22nd, when asked about U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Commander John Aquilino's claim that China has militarized artificial islands, "Installing necessary defense facilities on one's own territory is a sovereign nation's natural right and complies with international law."

Wang added, "The United States has recently been strengthening its military deployments around the South China Sea and dispatching warships and military aircraft to provoke. The U.S. should stop sowing discord over the South China Sea issue and play a constructive role in safeguarding regional peace and stability."

This is interpreted as an indication that China does not deny the militarization of the artificial islands and intends to confront the issue head-on.

Earlier, the state-run Global Times also asserted on the same day that sovereignty over the South China Sea belongs to China, arguing that the facilities are for "territorial defense." It further claimed that the main reason for militarizing the South China Sea is the frequent U.S. military operations in the area.