China moved anti-ship and surface-to-air missiles to three of its artificial islands in a disputed area of the South China Sea over the past month, according to a new report.
CNBC reported Wednesday the missile systems are now on three Chinese bases in the Spratly Islands. China has been building artificial islands on reefs in the area between Vietnam and the Philippines for the past several years as it flexes its military might over claims it owns the islands.
"We have consistently called on China, as well as other claimants, to refrain from further land reclamation, construction of new facilities, and militarization of disputed features, and to commit to managing and resolving disputes peacefully with other claimants," a Pentagon official told CNBC. "The further militarization of outposts will only serve to raise tensions and create greater distrust among claimants."
The missile systems are now on Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef, and Mischief Reef, all part of the disputed Spratly Islands to which six nations — China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Brunei — claim ownership.
In 2016, it was reported Vietnam moved several mobile rocket launchers to five of its bases in the Spratly Islands, which were capable of striking Chinese targets in the area.
Last May, a U.S. warship sailed within 12 miles of a Chinese artificial island in the area, drawing a sharp rebuke from Beijing.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.