Beijing fired back at US
criticism of artificial island project in disputed South China Sea (SCS) that
could include airstrip, with top Chinese general defending it as very "justifiable".
The PLA (People's Liberation Army)
Maj. Gen. Luo Yuan told state—run newspaper that Beijing was then building
infrastructure on reef and United States should then stay out of the said issue.
"United States obviously biased
considering that other countries Vietnam, Philippines and Malaysia, already set
up its military facilities," quoted by Luo.
"China likely to withstand international
pressure and continue their construction on the island, since they believed
that it’s completely legitimate and very justifiable," he added.
Report last week by the IHS Defence
revealed latest details of vast land reclamation project by China activity on a
Fiery Cross Reef, known as the Yongshu in China.
It is still part of Spratly
Islands, which they call it Nansha. Days after, US called China to halt project
and other governments to cease related efforts.
"We urge China to stop its land
reclamation activities and engage in a diplomatic initiatives in order to
encourage all sides to further restrain themselves in related activities,"
said by a US military spokesman Lieutenant Jeffrey Pool.
But China was still building on
the stated reef "generally to improve its living standards of
reef—stationed soldiers".
"China's construction on the Yonshu
Reef is not affected by the US words," Global Times of China.
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