The People's Liberation Army's land reclamation activities in the South China Sea have seen it accused of changing the status quo of the disputed maritime region. Chinese military analysts have responded by citing Malaysia's "occupation" of Swallow Reef, stating that not only have they turned the reef into an island, they have also built a runway there, according to our sister paper Want Daily.
Malaysia also recently announced that it would equip its navy base in the vicinity of the South China Sea with an air defense system, a measure widely interpreted as being carried out with China's expansion in the region in mind, the paper said.
Chinese military commentator Song Zhongping decried the reports in overseas media outlets that say China is changing the status quo in the South China Sea during a recent appearance on Jue Sheng Hai Lu Kong, a program on Gansu Network Television, the title of which translates to "Victory Navy, Army, Air Force."
Read the full story at Want China Times