Update | China says land reclamation projects in disputed South China Sea territory to finish ‘within days’
Island building to be completed soon, then infrastructure work will start, says Beijing
Beijing will complete its land reclamation works in the disputed South China Sea within days, the Chinese foreign ministry says.
It would then go on to build infrastructure on its territorial claims, it said on Tuesday.
"As planned, the land reclamation projects on the Nansha Islands will be completed in the upcoming days," foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said, using the Chinese name for the Spratlys. He did not specify the timeframe, however.
"Apart from satisfying the need for military defence, the main purpose of the reclamation projects is to meet various civilian demands and better carry out China's international obligations and responsibilities."
The statement came after military top brass General Fan Changlong's visit to the United States last week, during which the South China Sea territorial disputes topped the agenda at his meeting with US Defence Secretary Ash Carter.
It also came ahead of the annual high-level Strategic and Economic Dialogue between China and the US in Washington next week.
Experts say the statement is aimed at informing the US and claimants that the reclamation will not go on indefinitely.
