China has fully militarized 3 islands in South China Sea: US

US March 21 (Hindustan Times)-China has fully militarized at least 3 of several islands it built in the disputed South China Sea, arming them with anti-ship and anti-aircraft missile systems, laser and jamming equipment and fighter jets in an increasingly aggressive move that threatens all nations operating nearby, a top US military commander said Sunday.   

“I think over the past 20 years we’ve witnessed the largest military buildup since World War II by the PRC.-(China’s former name).They have advanced all their capabilities and that buildup of weaponization is destabilizing to the region.” US Indo-Pacific commander Adm. John C. Aquilino told The Associated Press. 

 
After years of increased military spending, China now boasts the world’s second largest defence budget after the US and is rapidly modernizing its force with weapons systems including the J-20 stealth fighter, hypersonic missiles and two aircraft carriers, with a third under construction.  

Beijing maintains its military profile is purely defensive, arranged to protect what it says are its sovereign rights but routinely objects to any action by US military in the region. Countries including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei claim all or part of the sea.