‘No dispute about it’: Beijing defends construction on Paracel Islands in South China Sea

Beijing has defended ongoing land-reclamation activities in the contested Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, stating they are aimed at improving living conditions and boosting the local economy. “The Xisha Islands are an inherent part of China’s territory and there is no dispute about it,” according to Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian on Monday, referring to the Paracels’ Chinese name. “China’s necessary construction activities on its own territory are aimed at improving the...

By William Zheng