Beijing hits at US naval plan to skirt group of artificial islands A planned US naval mission to skirt a group of artificial islands Beijing has…

Beijing hits at US naval plan to skirt group of artificial islands A planned US naval mission to skirt a group of artificial islands Beijing has constructed in the South China Sea has prompted an angry reaction from China’s military establishment

In the latest escalation of rhetoric from Beijing, a senior Chinese naval officer yesterday warned the US that

China’s military would “give a head-on blow” to foreign forces “violating” China’s sovereignty

Rear Admiral Yang Yi, writing in the Global Times, a Beijing newspaper with close links to the ruling Communist party, said: “Safeguarding maritime rights calls for force and power.”

In the past two years China has dredged about 2,000 acres out of small coral atolls in the South China Sea, created about half a dozen islands, one of which, named Fiery Cross Reef, has a 3,000m runway apparently capable of handling military jets

The island building appears to be part of China’s strategy to lay claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, a move that has infuriated China’s maritime neighbours and the US

Last week US officials told the Financial Times that “freedom of navigation activities” — sailing or flying within 12 nautical miles of the islands to challenge China’s claims — would start soon

Admiral Yang’s comments are the most incendiary to have come out of Beijing so far. But Wu Shicun, the director of the Institute of the South China Sea on Hainan Island, said the officer was not speaking on behalf of the Chinese government. “

“To the public this may sound strongly of gunpowder, and it appeals to nationalistic emotions, but it is highly unlikely that the decision-making levels in either country will allow tensions to elevate to such a level,” he said

Paul Haenle, director of the Carnegie Tsinghua Centre in Beijing, said China should take a constructive approach to the South China Sea. “

“Reacting in ways that exacerbate tensions would substantially raise the risk of setting off a series of dynamics and security decisions by the US and its allies and partners that China would not see in its interests over the long term,” he said

Mr Wu played down the risk of armed conflict, saying Beijing would probably react to any US activity by monitoring, intercepting and attempting to drive off foreign vessels or aircraft. “

“It is highly likely that the US will enter the airspace and waters in the near future,” he said. “We are waiting for the shoe to drop, so to speak.”

However, Mr Wu warned that continued US challenges could force China to militarise the islands. “

“China has promised not to militarise the islands, but if the US continues to provoke and create hype over the

topic, including using the military bases of the Philippines and Malaysia, and China feels threatened, it may be