China has deployed anti-aircraft missiles to a disputed island in the South China Sea, according to satellite images and the Taiwan government, increasing tensions just as US President Barack Obama sought regional support to push back against Beijing’s assertive territorial stance.
Taiwan’s ministry of defence said on Wednesday that China had stationed the missiles on Woody island, which is controlled by Beijing but also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. The revelations came as Mr Obama concluded a summit with Southeast Asian leaders in which he aimed to corral their support in territorial disputes.
During a September visit to the White House, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Beijing did not intend to militarise the facilities it had built in the South China Sea. However, it was not clear whether he was referring to both the Paracel and Spratly Islands, or just the Spratlys — which China calls the Nansha islands.