Unfortunately, the test flights have been hyped up by the US and Japan, claiming that China's act intensifies tensions and “is a unilateral change of the status quo,” publication Chinese People’s Daily wrote.
As noted by the Chinese media the airfield shouldn't be a cause for concern for anybody especially as there has never been any problem regarding freedom of navigation and over-flight in the South China Sea and all countries are authorized to do so under international law.
“The most disruptive force comes from outside, primarily the US. Warships and fighters dispatched by the US repeatedly harassed the South China Sea last year. Washington has no interest in the peace of the South China Sea. It meddles for geopolitical gains, as does Tokyo,” the publication noted.
The Chinese government has stated that the runway would conform to civil aviation standards and other improved facilities intended to facilitate search and rescue, disaster prevention and reduction and navigation safety.
As the Chinese People’s Daily stressed if Washington doesn’t want to see the South China Sea militarized, it should stop sending warships and fighters to China’s reefs and islands. As far as the regional countries are concerned, the publication said that the newly built reefs and islands are mainly for civilian use and instead of calling on foreign powers; the regional nations should wait and see whether China will keep its promise.
