Washington DC - United States mengultimatum China who reportedly put missiles in the South China Sea. There will be short-term and long-term consequences, the White House said.
The US news network CNBC reported on Wednesday that China had installed anti-warship cruise missiles and surface-to-air surface-to-air missions at three outposts in the South China Sea. CNBC quotes directly from US intelligence sources.
Asked about the report, White House spokesman Sarah Sanders told a news briefing: "We know of China's militarization in the South China Sea, we have expressed our concerns directly to the Chinese government about this and there will be short-term and long-term consequences."
Sanders did not say what the consequences were.
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said US intelligence had seen some signs that China had transferred some weapons systems to the Spratly Islands in the past month, but he gave no details.
CNBC cited anonymous sources saying that according to US intelligence assessments, the missiles were transferred to Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef and Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands in the last 30 days.
This would be the first Chinese missile deployment on the Spratly Islands, an area also claimed by several other Asian countries, including Vietnam and Taiwan.
The South China Sea problem has grown over the years, with China, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam making conflicting claims in the waters that have such important global shipping routes. The territorial waters are also believed to have significant oil and gas reserves.
The Foreign Ministry said China has an irrefutable sovereignty over the Spratly Islands. China's defense-related actions are solely aimed at national security needs and are not intended to attack any country. "Those who do not intend to violate Chinese sovereignty need not worry," ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said.
The Chinese Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to requests for comment but earlier stressed that the islands are "part of China territory" and that it is up to China to decide what it does there.
Julie Bishop, the Australian Foreign Minister, said the CNBC report, if accurate, would be a serious concern as it contradicts the aspirations China has declared not to militarize the South China Sea.
"China, of course, has a unique responsibility as a permanent member of the Security Council, which is to uphold peace and security around the world," Bishop told reporters in Queensland. "Any action to militarize one-sided territory in the South China Sea contradicts that responsibility and role."
CNBC says the YJ-12B anti-ship cruise missiles allow China to attack ships within 295 nautical miles (about 546 kilometers). Meanwhile, land-based long-range missiles into HQ-9B air could target aircraft, drones and cruise missiles within 160 nautical miles (about 296 kilometers).