Photo by Rolex Dela Pena/Pool/EPA
China will be able to project "substantial offensive military power" from artificial islands it has built in the South China Sea's disputed Spratly Islands within months, the director of US national intelligence has claimed.In a February 23 letter to John McCain, chair of the US Senate Armed Services Committee, James Clapper said Chinese land reclamation and construction work in the Spratlys had established infrastructure needed "to project military capabilities in the South China Sea beyond that which is required for point defense of its outposts.""Based on the pace and scope of construction at these outposts, China will be able to deploy a range of offensive and defensive military capabilities and support increased PLAN and CCG presence beginning in 2016," Clapper said in the letter released this week, using acronyms for the Chinese navy and coastguard."Once these facilities are completed by the end of 2016 or early 2017, China will have significant capacity to quickly project substantial offensive military power to the region," Clapper added.Related: Are China and Japan Heading for a South China Sea Showdown?The US has voiced concerns about China's assertive pursuit of territory in the South China Sea. The sea is one of the world's busiest trade routes and regional countries have rival claims, creating a potential flashpoint.Clapper said that while the US had yet to observe deployment of significant Chinese military capabilities in the Spratlys, it had built facilities able to support them, including modern fighter aircraft.China had already installed military radars at Cuarteron and Fiery Cross reefs, and the infrastructure could also allow for the deployment of surface-to-air missiles, coastal defense cruise missiles, and an increased presence of warships, he said.Asked about Clapper's comments on Friday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China has merely been exercising its right of self-defense."China has made appropriate and reasonable defense deployment construction that is within the range of China's sovereignty," Hong told a regular news briefing in Beijing. "China urges the relevant country to not talk excitedly with wild gestures on this issue."Related: We Will Find 'Creative Ways' to Punish You Over South China Sea, US Tells BeijingAt the same briefing, Hong relayed China's anger over news the State Department has authorized the sale of two surplus US Navy frigates to Taiwan for $190 million, subject to congressional approval.Visiting Washington in September, Chinese President Xi Jinping responded to US worries by saying that China had no intention to militarize its outposts in the Spratlys.Beijing has said their military roles will be defensive, but the head of the US Pacific Command said last month China was "clearly militarizing" the South China Sea with the aim of achieving East Asian hegemony.China considers self-ruled Taiwan a wayward province, to be brought under its control by force if necessary. Defeated Nationalist forces fled to Taiwan in 1949 after the Chinese civil war.Related: Taiwan Just Elected Its First Female President — And Now She Has to Deal With ChinaBeijing is highly suspicious of Taiwan president-elect Tsai Ing-wen and her pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, which won elections in January by a landslide. Tsai assumes office in May.US arms sales to Taiwan always attract strong opposition from Beijing, though they have not ended up causing lasting damage to ties between China and the US or between China and Taiwan. The Taiwan Relations Act commits the US to ensuring Taipei can maintain a credible defense.Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said China had lodged a protest with the US.The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region, the State Department said in a statement. Taiwan's Defense Ministry said the sale was part of a deal reached last year.Follow VICE News on Twitter: @vicenews
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