In recent years, in its attempt to extend the naval influence in the South China Sea, China had went on to build about half a dozen artificial islands in the Spratlys despite the strong protest from Vietnam and Philippines. China in denouncing the South East Asian nations’ claims over the archipelago, even renamed Spratlys as Nansha Islands and reiterating that China has indisputable sovereignty over “Nansha Islands” and adjacent waters. The Spratlys is being contested by Malaysia, China, Vietnam, Philippines, Taiwan and Brunei namely.

In past few days, in its latest attempt to consolidate its presence in South China Sea, China’s civilian aircrafts conducted three test landings on the artificial island in Fiery Cross Reef of Spratly archipelago. The act is of course to remind the contestants that China will never back down from Spratlys and South China Sea. Within past 24 months China has reclaimed over 809ha in the archipelago despite the strong protest from Vietnam and Philippines. The United States too alarmed by the Chinese adventurism in the waters and suspecting China of maritime-military muscle-flexing in South China Sea. South China Sea is a busiest sea trade route that moves US$5 trillion sea-borne trade every year. Despite the protests from countries like Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan, China is committed to make the Spratlys part of its region and as recent as past months completed airstrips in the Chinese man-made Islands over the waters.

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