China: Chinese military facilities in Spratly necessary for defense

From Ang Malaya (Oct 15): China: Chinese military facilities in Spratly necessary for defense

China said that there are military facilities in fake islands it built in Spratly Islands which are necessary for defense. “There certainly are a limited amount of necessary military facilities for defense purposes only,” Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said reacting to Australia and US’ statement that China should follow through on its commitment not to militarize the Spratly Islands.

The Chinese spokesperson added that there have been military muscle flexing in West Philippine Sea being done by certain countries.

“It should be pointed out that certain countries have been flexing military muscles in the South China Sea over recent period of times. That is the biggest cause of “militarization” in the South China Sea,” she said.

“There have been high-profile display of military strength and frequent and large-scale military drills by certain countries and their allies in the South China Sea, which makes it completely understandable for the Chinese side to have a limited amount of necessary military facilities for defense purposes only,” she explained.

She also reiterated China’s sovereignty claim over Spratly Islands. “Construction carried out by the Chinese side on relevant islands and reefs of the Nansha (Spratly) Islands is mainly to satisfy civilian needs, better fulfill China’s international responsibility and obligation, and provide more public goods and services to the region and the international community,” she said.

http://www.angmalaya.net/world/2015/10/15/14279-china-chinese-military-facilities-in-spratly-necessary-for-defense