China Says "We can build what we want in South China Sea"

BEIJING – China has rejected proposals ahead of a key regional meeting to hold any activity that may raise tensions in disputed maritime. On Monday, a senior Chinese official said that China can build whatever they want in South China Sea, as they believe that it is a part of their territory.

This week, the Southeast Asian foreign ministers hold security meeting with counterparts, including US, Myanmar and China to settle the rising  tensions over the conflicts in disputed sea. As a part of the three-part plan, the Manila Foreign minister said last week that the Philippines will suggest a freeze on all activity that may raise tension in disputed waters in the South China Sea.

The United States, who is a close ally and former colonial power in the Philippines, has also asked  on all parties to pause activity in the disputed sea to ease tension between the claimants.

Manila has suspected China of carrying out reclamation work on at least three shoals in the Spratly Islands, where lies  most of the overlapping claims  particularly in the area between China and the Philippines.

Yi Xianliang, deputy head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's Boundary and Ocean Affairs Departments, stated that China had every right to build on its islands to develop its basic living conditions there.

"Why is it that when other countries wantonly build airports, nobody says a word? But China has only this year started small and necessary construction, to raise living conditions on the islands - and so many people raise doubts."

Previously Hong Kong media reported that China plans to build an air base on Fiery Cross Reef, however Yi said he was uninformed of the said plan.

China claims most part of the area which is estimated about 90 percent. It is believed that South China Sea is rich in natural resources such as oil and gas deposits and has rich fishery possessions. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also lay claim to parts of the sea.