Beijing deploys missile system to disputed island in South China Sea
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Bangkok - China has deployed two batteries of sophisticated surface-to-air missile launchers to a disputed island in the South China Sea.
Satellite imagery from ImageSat International showed two batteries of eight missile launchers on Woody Island, part of the contested Paracel Islands, a US news report said late Tuesday.
"Interested parties should work collaboratively to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea region," said Taiwan Defence Ministry spokesman Major General David Lo.
"(They should) avoid any unilateral move that would increase tensions," Lo added.
A US official confirmed that the imagery showed the HQ-9 air defence system, which has a range of around 200 kilometres, Fox News reported.
The missiles appeared to have been placed on a beach some time between February 3 and February 14, the report said.
The news of the missile deployment came as US President Barack Obamamet with South-East Asian leaders in California, where they called for "maritime security" and urged "non-militarisation and self-restraint" by countries in the region.
Beijing claims nearly all of the South China Sea, including small islands that are hundreds of kilometres from its southern coast.
Four countries in South-East Asia have unresolved territorial disputes with China over the South China Sea, which has important shipping lanes and potential oil and other natural resources.
In January, a US warship sailed into the area of the sea containing the Paracel Islands group, and within 12 nautical miles of Zhongjian Island, or Triton Island in English.
A Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman called the move at the time "a deliberate provocation."
Woody Island is also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam.
- DPA
