US expresses concern over China militarizing artificial islands in SCS

A United States army official has expressed concern over China's militarising of artificial islands in the South China Sea and alleged that Beijing was increasing its armed presence in the area.

"China is putting on those man-made islands, which they have made, features are becoming militaristic, they are growing military on these man-made islands in the South China Sea," Major General James S Hartsell, mobilisation assistant to the commander US Pacific command, told ANI, on the sidelines of the Indian Ocean Conference 2017 here on Friday.

"America takes no territorial ...We do take a strong feeling and position on keeping open on global comments and so we would continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows that includes south China sea," he added, while referring to China's military presence in South China sea.

Maj Gen Hartsell expressed concern over the issue of privacy in the Indian Ocean and said that lot of work has come together over the years to reduce privacy in the region.

Referring to terrorism in the region, he said the United States is working with lot of progress with its allies in the region to counter terrorist organisations which are trying to reconstitute, regroup in this part of the world and South East Asia particularly.
READ MORE