(VOVworld) – The Chinese military has deployed an advanced surface-to-air missile system to Phu Lam island of Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago, according to satellite imagery obtained by the US’s Fox News agency.
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| The satellite imagery shows the image of missile on Phu Lam island on February 14 (left) (Photo: ImageSat International) |
The imagery from ImageSat International (ISI) shows two batteries of eight surface-to-air missile launchers as well as a radar system on Woody Island, part of the Paracel Island chain in the East Sea.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said non-militarization is a regulation that should be applied to any countries related to the East Sea issue. He said the US is expected to have serious talk with China in several days. Mr. Kerry said he hoped that China would be aware that the conflict in the East Sea should be resolved in diplomatic manner and cooperation with related parties, not with unilateral act, violence and militarization.
Spokesperson for the US Department of State Mark Toner, said if China continues to deploy missile system on Phu Lam island, it will make the situation more complicated. White House spokesperson Josh Earnest urged related parties to clarify sovereignty in the East Sea based on international law and resolve the conflicts by peaceful means.
Reactions from the US, Japan and Australia given China’s deployment of surface to air missiles to Vietnam’s Paracel Archipelago
Chief of Japanese cabinet office, Yoshihide Suga denied to confirm or comment on the information but expressed Tokyo’s grace concern on any unilateral effort to change the status quo and intensify the situation. Japanese Defense Minister Gen Takatani asked for a clear explanation from Beijing about the deployment.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop called for peaceful measures to settle disputes in the East Sea.
The US and the EU asked China to respect judgment due this May by the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on the Philippine’s lawsuit against China in the East Sea dispute.