Sputnik International
By Alexandra Kashirina
March 21, 2022
The vast waters of the South China Sea, including the Spratly archipelago and the Paracel Islands, have long been a bone of contention in the Asia Pacific. The area, claimed by China, is valued for its rich bioresources, strategic location at the crossroads of sea routes to the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and potential reserves of oil and minerals.
China has completely militarised at least three of its artificial islands in the South China Sea, where anti-ship and anti-aircraft missile systems, laser equipment and jamming devices, as well as fighter jets have been installed, according to the US Indo-Pacific commander, Adm. John C. Aquilino.