China defends reclamation of islands in the South China Sea

A top security forum was held last weekend and the issue on China's reclamation of islands in the South China Sea was one of the main topics discussed during the said event. The United States demanded that China stop all reclamation works in the area, but the latter refused to do so and said that the reclamation is for the purpose of "improving the functions of the relevant islands and reefs."

"China has always kept in mind the larger interests of maritime security," said deputy chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army Admiral Sun Jianguo.

Sun insisted during the said forum that China's claims over the area in South China Sea were "based on legal and historical evidence." The admiral also defended their side and said that the reclamation of islands would help improve the living conditions of the people who were stationed in the area.

"Apart from meeting the necessary defense needs, it is more geared to better perform China's international responsibilities and obligations regarding maritime search and rescue, disaster prevention and relief, maritime scientific research, meteorological observation, environmental protection, safety of navigation, fishery production, services," he said.

Senator John McCain, who was present during the forum, refused to abide by the 12-nautical mile zone around the islands.

"If we respected a 12-mile zone, then we would be making a mistake of enormous proportions because that would be de facto recognition of Chinese sovereignty," said McCain.

The United States also urges more Asian countries to take action against China's reclamation of islands across the South China Sea. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter also asked for an "immediate and lasting halt to land reclamation by all claimants."

Carter added that while China is not the only country in the Pacific who has developed outposts in the region, the country remains to be the only one with more acres of land in a span of 18 months. Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies senior adviser Bonnie Glaser, however, warned that U.S. should be wary of being assertive against China's expansion across the seas.

"If the United States is too tough on China, then we run the risk of losing some of the members, especially ASEAN," Glaser admitted.