{"id":55681,"date":"2018-05-20T16:30:29","date_gmt":"2018-05-20T16:30:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/05\/20\/us-criticizes-chinas-militarization-of-disputed-south-china-sea\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T09:17:38","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T09:17:38","slug":"us-criticizes-chinas-militarization-of-disputed-south-china-sea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/flashpoints\/2018\/05\/20\/us-criticizes-chinas-militarization-of-disputed-south-china-sea\/","title":{"rendered":"US criticizes China\u2019s militarization of disputed South China Sea"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

BEIJING \u2014 The Pentagon criticized what it called China\u2019s \u201ccontinued militarization\u201d of island outposts in the disputed South China Sea<\/a>, where the Chinese air force<\/a> landed long-range bombers<\/a> for the first time, putting entire Southeast Asia within their range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The China Daily newspaper reported Saturday that the People\u2019s Liberation Army Air Force conducted takeoff and landing training with the H-6K bomber in the South China Sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons in waters crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and potential oil and gas reserves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A statement from the Defense Ministry late Friday said the exercise was conducted on an island reef, but it did not specify when or where, saying only that it took place recently at a \u201csouthern sea area.\u201d It involved several H-6Ks taking off from an air base and making a simulated strike against sea targets before landing, the ministry said.<\/p>\n\n\n\t