China lays out plans for militarizing disputed island as bid to dominate all of South China Sea continues
Despite pressure from the United States and a host of ASEAN nations who have all expressed concern over China’s increasing militarization of the South China Sea, Beijing seems undeterred and is continuing to expand its power in the region. That was made evident, once again, in recent days by China’s release of a plan for a new military buildup on an island that was claimed by the Philippines in the Scarborough Shoal in the Spratly Island chain. The plan calls for future deployment of Chinese warships close to where U.S. Navy Ships are to be stationed in the future, the Washington Free Beacon reported . U.S. intelligence officials obtained details of the plan over the last several months, defense officials said. The plans were confirmed in March when a web site for Chinese military enthusiasts posted a detailed dredging plan for the shoal that includes a runway, housing, power systems and a harbor deep enough to accommodate Chinese warships. The shoal is located about 140-