US officials allege China of militarising three islands in the South China Sea

Washington/Beijing: Admiral John Aquilino, chief of the US Indo-Pacific Command, has accused China of completely militarising three islands in the South China Sea region which is seen as the most prominent military deployment since the second world war. The United States has deployed its force in this region only to prevent conflicts. Admiral Aquilino warned that if the need arises, the United States will go into a war against China and emerge victorious.

Since the last two decades, China has increased its military deployments in the South China Sea region. The US official accused China of completing its military deployment on three artificial islands: Mischief Reef, Subi Reef, and Fiery Cross Reef. Admiral John Aquilino said that China has deployed fighter jets, warships, arms depots, and radar and missile systems. While mentioning the Chinese deployment on these islands, the US official also pointed out that this is the largest deployment since the second world war.

Admiral John Aquilino warned that the Chinese deployment significantly threatens the maritime route through this region and the countries. The US official said that despite the assurances from the Chinese President Xi Jinping, there had been huge deployments in the region. He also spoke about the US deployments in the region and clarified that it was only acting as deterrence to prevent wars.

Admiral John Aquilino also claimed that if the United States’ steps fail to stop China, then the United States will be compelled to get into a war with China and win it. China has claimed rights over the entire South China Sea region, disregarding the verdict passed by the international arbitrator. This has made the southeast Asian countries restless and these countries have also started to increase their defence deployments on a large scale.