China sends fighter jets to disputed islands

The jets were sent to the same island where China has deployed surface-to-air missiles, Fox News reported, citing two US officials. Chinese Shenyang J-11 and Xian JH-7 fighter jets have been seen by US intelligence on Woody Island in the past few days. 

The island is part of the Paracels chain, under Chinese control for more than 40 years but also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. 

China’s flexing of its military might is causing experts to say it is “changing the operational landscape” in the South China Sea by deploying missiles and radar as part of an effort to dominate East Asia, a senior US military official said today. 

China is “clearly militarising the South China (Sea),” said Admiral Harry Harris, head of the US Pacific Command, adding: Speaking ahead of a meeting in Washington between China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Secretary of State John Kerry, Harris said China is escalating the situation in the South China Sea with new deployments.“I believe China seeks hegemony in East Asia.” 

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on Wednesday said media was being selective. She said as far as China was concerned, there was no dispute over ownership of the Paracels, Over the past week or so China has been reported to have deployed advanced missiles, fighters and radar equipment on islands in the South China Sea, especially on Woody Island in the Paracels.