By Patricia Lourdes Viray
MANILA, Philippines — An American senator condemned China's activities in the disputed South China Sea following reports that it has nearly completed weapon structures on three of its largest outposts.
Washington-based CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative recently released satellite images showing eight buildings being constructed on Fiery Cross (Kagitingan), Mischief (Panganiban) and Subi (Zamora) Reefs in the Spratly Islands.
US Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) said that China's construction of structures designed to house surface-to-air missiles violates its promises not to militarize the region.
"Despite claims to the contrary, China is continuing to change the facts on the ground in the South China Sea," Sullivan said in a statement.
Sullivan noted that $5.3 trillion of trade - $1.2 trillion of it from the US - passes each year in the South China Sea.
China appears to be restricting access to the region by extending its defense capabilities throughout the so-called nine-dash line in the contested waters.
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