US Says China Can Project ‘Substantial Offensive Power’ from Spratlys

China Able to Project ‘Substantial Offensive Power’ from Spratlys In Months: US (excerpt)

WASHINGTON --- China will be able to project “substantial offensive military power” from artificial islands it has built in the South China Sea’s disputed Spratly Islands within months, the director of US national intelligence said.

In a February 23 letter to Senator John McCain, chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Mr James Clapper said Chinese land reclamation and construction work in the Spratlys had established infrastructure needed “to project military capabilities in the South China Sea beyond that which is required for point defence of its outposts.”

“Based on the pace and scope of construction at these outposts, China will be able to deploy a range of offensive and defensive military capabilities and support increased PLAN and CCG presence beginning in 2016,” Mr Clapper said in the letter released this week, using acronyms for the Chinese navy and coastguard.

“Once these facilities are completed by the end of 2016 or early 2017, China will have significant capacity to quickly project substantial offensive military power to the region,” Clapper added.

The United States has voiced concerns about China’s assertive pursuit of territory in the South China Sea. The sea is one of the world’s busiest trade routes and regional countries have rival claims, creating a potential flashpoint. (end of excerpt)

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