China blames US for ratcheting up South China Sea tensions

Filipino protesters in Makati City burn an effigy of a missile at the Chinese embassy. Picture: AP

China yesterday accused the United States of militarising the South China Sea, just days after it was revealed Beijing had deployed surface-to-air missiles on an island in the hotly disputed area.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said patrols by US military aircraft and naval vessels, along with joint exercises involving regional partners were fuelling concerns over peace and stability.

“The above actions have escalated tensions in the South China Sea, and that’s the real militarisation of the South China Sea,” Mr Hong said. US and Taiwanese officials this week confirmed commercial satellite images showing the missiles on Woody Island in the disputed Paracel chain.