30 March 2017

News Story: China sends message of supremacy in South China Sea — expert

By Levi A. So

MANILA, Philippines — An internal journal of China's armed naval wing is sending a message of dominance in South China Sea and two warnings on its possible future actions, an international security expert said.

An article authored by South Sea Fleet officers of China's People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy boasted military supremacy in South China Sea despite repeated denials by Beijing that it would militarize the maritime region. 

On Monday, the CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative reported that construction of China's naval, air, radar and defensive facilities on Subi (Zamora), Mischief (Panganiban) and Fiery Cross (Kagitingan) Reefs are near completion.

"Intimidated by the projects, related claimants and neighboring countries are unlikely to provoke any military conflict or escalate it into a war because they are too poorly prepared," PLA Navy officers said in the article. The internal journal was obtained by Kyodo News.

Read the full story at PhilStar