China says US welcome to use bases built in disputed areas of South China Sea
Structures in South China Sea could be used by nations for search and rescue, admiral says
The United States and other countries will be welcome to use civilian facilities that China is building in the South China Sea for search and rescue and weather forecasting "when conditions are right", the PLA navy chief has told a senior American officer.
China claims 90 per cent of the South China Sea, which is believed to be rich in oil and gas, with overlapping claims from Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taipei.
Recent satellite images show China has made rapid progress in building an airstrip suitable for military use in the disputed Spratly Islands and may be planning another.
Those moves, along with other reclamations, have caused alarm around the region and in Washington too, with the issue dominating a summit of Southeast Asian leaders this week, to China's displeasure.
In a teleconference with the US Chief of Naval Operations Jonathan Greenert, PLA Navy chief Wu Shengli said China's building work in the South China Sea would not affect freedom of navigation or overflight.
"Instead, it will improve the ability in these seas of public services like weather forecasting and maritime search and rescue, fulfilling international obligations to maintain the security of international seas," Wu said, according to a defence ministry statement.
"[We] welcome international organisations, the United States and relevant countries to use these facilities in the future when conditions are right, to have co-operation on humanitarian search and rescue and disaster relief," Wu added.
