China ‘fully militarized’ three islands in South China Sea: US commander

China has fully militarized three islands in the South China Sea, according to a top U.S. military commander. U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander John Aquilino says China armed three of its seven artificial islands with anti-ship and anti-aircraft missile systems. The move directly threatens all nations in the region, he says. To counter China’s expansionist ambitions, the U.S. military says it will deploy its Zumwalt-class destroyer in the Indo-Pacific as early as the end of next year.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander John Aquilino and two AP reporters recently went onboard a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon to patrol the skies over the South China Sea.

During the patrol, they saw that Mischief Reef, Subi Reef, and Fiery Cross Reef were armed with missile systems, fighter jets, and other weapons systems, as well as military facilities. The three artificial islands were, quote, “fully militarized,” according to Aquilino.

The U.S. commander said China was undermining regional security and betraying its past promises that the islands would not be turned into military bases.

Su Tzu-yun
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
Actually, over in the South China Sea, China is believed to be building an eighth artificial island. The land reclamation work is reportedly underway. At present, it’s very obvious that the three islands named in the report have been militarized. Of course China’s purpose is to announce its expansionist designs. The second thing is that China will continue to militarize its islands, and possibly turn the entire South China Sea into a military fortress.

To contain China, the U.S. plans to deploy its Zumwalt-class destroyer in the Indo-Pacific starting the end of next year. The destroyer can be equipped with the Aegis system for air defense, and it has anti-submarine capabilities. Russia said recently that it deployed hypersonic missiles against Ukraine, marking the weapon’s first use in combat. The U.S. plans to fit one Zumwalt-class destroyer with hypersonic missiles by 2025. Experts say the move is meant to deter China from invading Taiwan.

Su Tzu-yun
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
The vertical launch tube on the Zumwalt-class destroyer can be used to launch hypersonic missiles. With its stealth capabilities, the Zumwalt can operate closer to the East China Sea or around the Taiwan Strait. It can take countermeasures against the Chinese military threat, launching a strike at the source.

In the face of the rising regional threat, the U.S. is keeping a close eye on China’s every move.

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