China Releases Missiles In Contested Island In South China Sea

By Jenn Loro - 18 Feb '16 09:12AM

Batteries of advanced surface-to-air missiles as well as a radar system have been spotted on Woody Island of the Paracel Island chain in the hotly disputed South China Sea raising concerns among territorial claimants that Beijing is seeking to upset the politico-military equilibrium in the region to its favor.

The deployment of an advanced surface-to-air-missile (SAM) system by the Chinese military in one of the disputed maritime territories has just convinced its neighbors of China's hegemonic aspirations in the hotbed zone.

"It is a common concern of the international community that China tries to change the situation and increase tensions in the South China Sea by carrying out extensive and rapid land reclamation, building its base in the region and utilizing it for military purposes," remarked Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga as quoted by CNN.

According to images from civilian satellite ImageSat International (ISI), two batteries of sophisticated HQ-9 SAMS (probably a knock-off of the Russian S-300) have been visibly identified since February 14. Previous satellite images in February 3 showed the absence of such military hardware on the island.

However, China repeatedly denied allegations of the country's attempt to change the status quo in the heavily contested South China Sea albeit with strong-worded insistence on sovereign claims.

"China has given a commitment of not engaging in so-called militarization, and we will honor that commitment. And we cannot accept the allegation that China's words are not being matched by actions. [But] there are some necessary facilities for self-defense...China has a right to protect its own territorial sovereignty," said Chines Foreign Minister Wang Yi as mentioned in a Fox News report.

The provocative move by China is bringing the US closer to the ongoing territorial dispute among contesting neighbors according to analysts.

"President Obama did say the United States was duty-bound to keep the region stable by ensuring freedom of navigation, which meant they would continue with military patrols and flybys. Something like this by China will definitely be seen as a provocative move not just by the United States but all the countries in the region," explained Al Jazeera's Marga Ortigas.