The commander of the US Pacific fleet has accused China of 'creating a great wall of sand' through land reclamation in the South China Sea, sparking serious concerns about its territorial intentions. Admiral Harry Harris Jr made the comments at a naval conference in Australia, warning that competing territorial claims by several nations were 'increasing regional tensions and the potential for miscalculation'.
Harris said China was 'building artificial land by pumping sand on to live coral reefs – some of them submerged – and paving over them with concrete'. He noted that China had created over 4 square kilometres (1.5 square miles) of artificial landmass, contrasting this with the region's natural islands: 'In sharp contrast, China is creating a great wall of sand with dredges and bulldozers over the course of months.'
The Philippines and other countries with territorial disputes in the busy sea have been particularly concerned by the projects, which have turned previously submerged reefs in the Spratlys archipelago into artificial islands with buildings, runways and wharves, potentially bolstering China's claims. Harris said the pace of construction 'raises serious questions about Chinese intentions'.
The US continues to urge all claimants to conform to the 2002 China-Asean Declaration of Conduct, which committed parties to 'exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes'. Harris added that 'how China proceeds will be a key indicator of whether the region is heading toward confrontation or cooperation'.
The US says it has a national interest in peaceful resolution of disputes in the region, crucial for world trade. China maintains its territorial claims have historical basis and objects to US involvement. Harris said the US is on track to reposition 60 per cent of its navy to the Pacific fleet by 2020, improving its ability to 'maintain stability and security' and respond quickly to any crisis.
