China sites long-range missiles in South China Sea
ministry spokesman said yesterday. However, the installation of surfaceto-air and anti-ship missiles on the Spratlys – reported by US news network CNBC – would mark a shift in the balance of power in the region, where Beijing claims nearly all the strategic waters, despite partial counter-claims from Taiwan and south-east Asian nations.
CNBC quoted unnamed sources saying the missiles were moved within the past 30 days. It said the YJ-12B anti-ship cruise missiles allowed China to strike vessels within 295 nautical miles, and that HQ-9B long-range surface-to-air missiles could hit targets inside more than half that distance.
President Xi Jinpingsaid during a state visit to the US in September 2015 that China would not militarise the Spratly archipelago, although Washington believed airstrips and radar were already being installed some months later.
China previously installed longrange missiles further north in the Paracel Islands, but is thought to have deployed only short-range missiles in the Spratlys.
Bonnie Glaser, senior adviser for Asia at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said: ‘‘China’s deployments and activity in the Paracels have served as a blueprint for what they are doing in [the] Spratlys. HQ-9B SAMs are but one example. Next will be fighters and establishment of baselines.’’
The US navy has been confronting China in the region with ‘‘freedom of navigation’’ exercises. US aircraft carriers Theodore Roosevelt and Carl Vinson have sailed through the South China Sea in recent months, angering Beijing.
Meanwhile, the US military has reportedly warned its airmen about ‘‘unauthorised laser activity’’ in Djibouti – the east African nation in which China operates its only overseas base.
‘‘Multiple intelligence sources report that China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy is suspected of operating a high-power lasing weapon at the base or on a ship off shore,’’ said a report in Jane’s Defence Weekly.
Lasers were used by the Soviet military during the Cold War to temporarily blind US pilots.
- Telegraph Group With ornate floral tributes ranging from a boxing ring to a bottle of vodka, Henry Vincent, a burglar stabbed to death while raiding a south London pensioner’s home, was given a lavish send-off. Hundreds of mourners from the traveller community gathered in Kent yesterday for the funeral.
Despite a large police presence monitoring proceedings, the scene turned ugly shortly after the 30-minute service ended, with some mourners attacking the media.
Youths, covering their faces with hoods, broke away from the cortege to pelt the press with eggs and rocks. At least one man was arrested.
Earlier the main funeral procession, which included scores of floral tributes, left the family home in Swanley, Kent.
Two funeral directors, wearing top hats and carrying canes, led the way, walking in front of a silver Mercedes hearse which contained Vincent’s coffin.
Among the bouquets was a white display made into the word ‘‘Daddy’’, a purple BMW sports car and a red Transit van.
The hearse was followed by eight black Mercedes limousines carrying family and friends to the funeral service, held 5km away at St Mary’s Church in nearby St Mary Cray.
Some of the mourners leaned out of the vehicles to shout obscenities at photographers and reporters.
As police stood guard outside, around 100 of Vincent’s friends and family gathered inside.
As mourners turned their anger on the gathered reporters, a policeman warned: ‘‘They are not happy. My advice to you is not to be here.’’
Around 10 police officers had to intervene to hold the group of between 30 and 40 people back, while a police helicopter flew overhead, monitoring the situation.
Two groups of at least 30 mourners ran at journalists after surrounding them. One photographer was punched in the face.
– Telegraph Group