(International Business Times) U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter told China to halt its artificial expansion of islands in the South China Sea, while leaders in Washington have said that the U.S. will not recognize China’s so-called new territory. The new islands, which are being created by piling seabed debris on top of reefs, are designed to give China military bases so it can better monitor the disputed Spratley and Paracel island chains.
"The United States is deeply concerned about the pace and scope of land reclamation in the South China Sea," Carter said to diplomats in Singapore on Friday. "The prospect of further militarization as well as the potential for these activities to increase the risk of miscalculation or conflict among claimant states."
