China Has Fully Militarized Three Islands

“China has fully militarized at least three of several islands it built in the disputed South China Sea, arming them with anti-ship and antiaircraft missile systems, laser and jamming equipment, and fighter jets in an increasingly aggressive move that threatens all nations operating nearby,” the Los Angeles Times reports.

“Adm. John Aquilino, U.S. Indo-Pacific commander, said the hostile actions were in stark contrast to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s past assurances that Beijing would not transform the artificial islands in contested waters into military bases.”