US defence official accuses China of ‘predatory economic activities’ in Indian Ocean
Joe Felter also says US ‘should be concerned’ about reports Beijing has deployed missiles to three outposts in the disputed Spratly Islands
A top US defence department official has accused Beijing of “predatory economic activities” in the Indian Ocean and raised concerns about reports it has moved missiles to man-made islands in the disputed South China Sea.
“This absolutely looks like an effort to militarise these disputed features [in the South China Sea] and we don’t support that,” Felter said on Friday. “We want a peaceful resolution of these [territorial] disputes.”
If confirmed, they would be the first missile deployments by China in the Spratlys, an island chain that is also claimed by the Philippines.
The development comes after the Chinese navy held an unprecedented week-long series of live-fire drills in the South China Sea last month.
