Beijing declares it has the right to develop islands in the South China Sea

China said on Tuesday that it has the right to develop islands in the South China Sea. The announcement follows criticism from the United States that Beijing has fully militarized three islands in the South China Sea.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin called the islands "necessary national defense facilities" on the Chinese territory line. Wang criticized the U.S. of aiming to "stir up trouble and make provocations," that "seriously threatens the sovereignty and security of coastal countries and undermines the order and navigation safety in the South China Sea."

It was reported on Sunday that China has armed three small, artificial islands with anti-ship and anti-aircraft missile systems, as well as fighter jets.

U.S. Indo-Pacific commander Adm. John C. Aquilino said Beijing is flexing its military prowess, but that the move is contradictory to past statements from Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has promised  not to militarize the islands.

"I think over the past 20 years we’ve witnessed the largest military buildup since World War II by the PRC. They have advanced all their capabilities and that buildup of weaponization is destabilizing to the region," Aquilino told the Associated Press. 

China is fighting to expand its control of the South China Sea amid claims of control from countries including Vietnam and Taiwan.