Chinese militarizing another South China Sea island - from TRUNEWS

(TRUNEWS) China is building up its military on Scarborough Shoal – an island north of the contested Spratly chain in the South China Sea.

U.S. intelligence sources uncovered the plan last month and it was confirmed on a website run by Chinese military enthusiasts, according to the Washington Free Beacon.  There were details on the site which included plans for a runway, power system, housing and a port for warships.

The land is located only 150 miles from the Philippines, which has also laid claim to the area.  The close proximity is a major concern of the Pentagon and State Department.

Officials have accused China of slowly trying to take over the South China Sea, which could threaten $5.3 trillion in trade as ships pass through the international waters there. China claims the water as their territory too.

“From this future base the 400-kilometer range YJ-62 can attack targets in most of the Philippine main island of Luzon,” said Rick Fisher, a senior fellow at the International Assessment and Strategy Center to Free Beacon.  “China could also deploy longer range anti-ship ballistic missiles to this base.”

The Chinese are also making military improvements on Woody Island in the Paracels, as reported by TRUNEWS.  On Tuesday, two Chinese J-11 fighter jets were sent there, according to Fox News.

Secretary of State John Kerry discussed the issue with Chinese leaders in February, where China confirmed the expansion. Kerry tried to talk them out of unilateral actions in the sea.

Members of Congress are concerned.

“They (China)  intend to use coercion and force to reshape the region in accordance with their preferences, regardless of international law or norms,” said Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.)

Arizona Senator John McCain wants the U.S. to step up its presence in the area by adding an aircraft carrier strike group to upcoming exercises to patrol waters in a “visible display of U.S. combat power”.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter will visit Manila later this month to get permission for the U.S. military to use five bases in the Philippines, in an attempt to beef up presence in the region, as reported by Asia Sentinel.

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