China installs cruise missiles on outposts
China has installed anti-ship cruise missiles and surface-to-air missile systems on three of its outposts in the South China Sea, US news network CNBC reported on Wednesday, citing sources with direct knowledge of US intelligence reports.
The installations, if confirmed, would mark the first Chinese missile deployments in the Spratly Islands, where several Asian countries including Vietnam and Taiwan have rival claims.
China has made no mention of any missile deployments but says its military facilities in the Spratlys are purely defensive, and that it can do what it likes on its own territory.
China's Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the latest report.
The foreign ministry said China has irrefutable sovereignty over the Spratly Islands and that its necessary defensive deployments were for national security needs and not aimed at any country.
"Those who do not intend to be aggressive have no need to be worried or scared," ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters in Beijing.
China "hopes relevant parties can objectively and calmly view this", she added.
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