China builds artificial islands in disputed South China Sea

(Vatican Radio) China says it is building a string of islands in the disputed South China Sea for military defense purposes as well as to help ships in distress.

In a rare announcement of details, China said Thursday it is building shelters, navigational aids, search and rescue as well as marine meteorological forecasting and fishery services on the artificial islands.

The rapid reclamation project has alarmed other claimants to the territory such as the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.  It has also drawn criticism from U.S.Defence Secretary Ash Carter, who is visiting Japan and South Korea this week.

China claims most of the South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Of the other claimants, all but Brunei have fortified bases in the Spratlys, which lie roughly 1,300 km from the Chinese mainland but much closer to the Southeast Asian claimants.