In a direct public criticism of Chinese land reclamation in features in the South China Sea, America’s top Pacific commander accused Beijing of building a “great wall of sand” in disputed areas, media outlets reported March 31.
U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Harry Harris Jr. reportedly told a gathering in Australia Tuesday that China’s unprecedented land reclamation activities – which had now created around 1.5 square miles of artificial land mass with construction still ongoing – raised serious doubts about Beijing’s future intentions.
“China is creating a great wall of sand with dredges and bulldozers over the course of months,” Harris said.
“When one looks at China’s pattern of provocative actions towards smaller claimant states, the lack of clarity on its sweeping nine dash line claim that is inconsistent with international law, and the deep asymmetry between China’s capabilities and those of its smaller neighbors—well, it’s no surprise that the scope and pace of building man-made islands raises serious questions about Chinese intentions.”
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