China building artificial islands in South Pacific

 PJ Media:

Tensions between the United States and China are rising, and nowhere is that fact more noticeable than the South China Sea where China has built some artificial islands and claimed other atolls as its territory.

They’ve constructed military bases on some of these atoll-sized islands, which is a provocation for the Philippines and Vietnam, who also claim some of those islands. And the U.S. refuses to recognize China’s claims that the islands and surrounding ocean are Chinese territories.

This is why there is such a danger of conflict near those islands, as the U.S. constantly exercises its internationally recognized right of freedom of the skies and seas.

Related: Biden’s Empty Threats to China Underscore His Weak Response to Chinese Spy Balloon

China is getting more aggressive in pushing back against the U.S. exercising its rights. And sometimes, it can get very dicey.

...

U.S. sources say these encounters are becoming more frequent in the aftermath of the spy balloon incident, and Chinese pressure on Taiwan has also increased. So far, it appears that China is simply probing for weaknesses and testing responses. But the U.S. doesn’t know what’s a test and what might be the real thing. This has our pilots on edge when flying their patrols.

...

China is acting like an expanding power that is trying to take advantage of the disputed islands.

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