US spy aircraft discovers China building artificial islands and airstrips in South China Sea

In the video below, a surveillance aircraft of the US Navy detected the Chinese construction of artificial islands and airstrips in the area of the South China Sea, Pravda.Ru reports.

China has added approximately 2,000 acres to five outposts in the Spratly Islands, US claims. The United States is concerned about China's activity in the disputed area of the South China Sea. 

Also read: Frictions in the South China Sea - Chinese strategic mistake

Six countries in the South China Sea - China, Vietnam, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei - are involved in the territorial dispute over the Spratly Islands.

The South China Sea issue is gaining momentum with many regional countries including China laying claims to the Spratly Islands archipelago and its mineral/fossil riches. The Malacca Straits (as opposed to the Lombok, Makassar and Mindoro  Straits and the Sibutu Passage) provide the most economic  Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs). All countries/economies of the APR thus have a compulsion to keep it open and navigable at all times. And the only Naval Power with the wherewithal to decisively control the Malacca Straits and  other SLOCs - is the US.

Read article on the Russian page of Pravda.Ru