China: ‘Reclamation’ of South China Sea Will Soon Conclude

The Chinese government announced in an official statement on Tuesday that it would “complete” the usurpation of Philippine, Vietnamese, and territory of other nations in the South China Sea “soon.” No timeline was given, nor were any geographic limits set to the expansion in the Spratly and Paracel Islands.

 

“China will complete its reclamation project soon as part of its South China Sea construction in parts of the Nansha islands,” announced the Chinese Foreign Ministry today. “It is learned from relevant Chinese competent departments that, as planned, the land reclamation project of China’s construction on some stationed islands and reefs of the Nansha [Spratly] Islands will be completed in the upcoming days,” it continues, “After the land reclamation, we will start the building of facilities to meet relevant functional requirements.”

 

The statement does not provide a date, nor does it clarify the meaning of a completion of the “reclamation project,” particularly in light of the announcement that China will begin building “facilities” on the disputed territory after the reclamation is complete.

 

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