China reaffirms right to disputed islands
China once more proclaims Beijing’s sovereignty and right to construction on its sovereign islands in the South China Sea.
“Construction operation is totally within China's sovereignty, and it is legitimate, sensible and lawful," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, adding, “China exerts indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands and affiliated waters."
Beijing's statement came after a US 'think-tank' posted satellite imagery showing construction operations underway on Nansha Islands' tropical reefs. The US-based Center for Strategic and International Studies released the images showing Chinese vessels dredging sand onto Mischief Reef, claiming on its website that Beijing wants to reassert its sovereignty over the islands by conducting the construction operations.
Nansha Islands, consisting of over 750 reefs, islets, atolls and cays, are off China’s southern coast. The islands, which are also known as Spratly Islands, are disputed by several neighboring countries in the region.
Regional countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan all have overlapping claims with China over disputed territories in South China Sea. The disputed territories include the Spratly Islands,Paracel Islands, Pratas Islands, Macclesfield Bankand and Scarborough Shoal. Some of the disputes have been taken to the United Nations for settlement.
The US, for its part in the regional dispute, has expressed its concern and taken sides with its allies against Beijing.
The disputed islands significance is due to the fact that they are located in main shipping routes passing through the South China Sea. The islands are also said to be rich in oil and gas, giving them added value.
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