China might push on with work on South China Sea reefs despite warning from US President Barack Obama
China might press on with land reclamation in the strategically important South China Sea despite US President Barack Obama’s warning last week that the work would affect peaceful resolution of maritime disputes in the area, Chinese military sources and observers say.
In talks with President Xi Jinping on Friday, Obama said he had “candid” discussions on Asia-Pacific disputes, voicing concerns about Chinese militarisation of artificial islands in the waters where China has competing territorial claims with several Southeast Asian neighbours.
Obama said he conveyed US unease over land reclamation and militarisation of the waters, saying it “makes it harder for countries in the region to resolve disagreements peacefully”.
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Xi denied there was a military build-up but added that the islands in the area were Chinese territory from “ancient times” and Beijing had the right to uphold its maritime rights.
Southeast Asian nations are increasingly worried about China’s reclamation projects, which they see as Beijing flexing its military muscle.
In May, Beijing said its navy was shifting from an “offshore defence” power to one committed to “open-seas protection”.
“China needs those artificial islands and airstrips in the South China Sea, because [the area] is a supply base for its navy and air force in the Asia-Pacific,” a source close to the Chinese military said, adding that Beijing would carry out reclamation when necessary.