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[h=4]China says U.S. militarizing South China Sea[/h]Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters that patrols by U.S. military aircraft and Navy vessels, as well as joint exercises with regional partners, were militarization.
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President Barack Obama has called for "tangible steps" to reduce tensions in the South China Sea, after a two day summit with Southeast Asian leaders concerned at Beijing's military build-up.
Video provided by AFP Newslook
This file aerial view taken on July 27, 2012 shows part of the city of Sansha on the island of Yongxing, also known as Woody island in the disputed Paracel chain, which China now considers part of Hainan province.(Photo: STR, AFP/Getty Images)
China on Friday accused the United States of militarizing the South China Sea, days after deploying missiles to a disputed island in the area.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told reporters that patrols by U.S. military aircraft and Navy vessels, as well as joint exercises with regional partners, were the cause of growing concerns over stability. The U.S.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>military didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Navy recently challenged attempts by China and other nations to<span style="color: Red;">*</span>restrict navigation in the<span style="color: Red;">*</span>South China Sea and sailed the guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur near an<span style="color: Red;">*</span>island in the area.
Commercial satellite imagery<span style="color: Red;">*</span>cited by the Taiwanese Defense Ministry on Wednesday showed that China deployed advanced anti-aircraft batteries on Woody Island, which China has occupied since 1974. The island<span style="color: Red;">*</span>is claimed by China,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Taiwan and Vietnam.
USA TODAY
Report: China deploys missiles to disputed island in South China Sea
The revelation came as President Obama<span style="color: Red;">*</span>called for reduced tensions in the region at the conclusion of a summit with Southeast Asian leaders.
The South China Sea has become a flashpoint<span style="color: Red;">*</span>as China and countries in the region<span style="color: Red;">*</span>seek control of trade routes and under-sea mineral deposits. China has been hauling massive amounts of sand and other material to build on reefs and other features, setting up landing strips.
USA TODAY
Navy challenges China, others in South China Sea
China says it is building the islands mainly<span style="color: Red;">*</span>for civil purposes and that the intention is to provide more goods and services to the international community.
“The limited self-defense facilities deployed on the islands are the result of China's right to self-defense granted by international law, which has nothing to do with militarization. It is natural and fully legitimate,” Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi said Thursday, according to the official Xinhua news agency.
Contributing: John Bacon
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