Chinese military leader visits disputed islands in the South China Sea

(Baonghean.vn) - Mr. Pham Truong Long, China's top military leader, visited several islands and reefs in disputed waters in the East Sea, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense said on April 15.

Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of China - Fan Changlong speaks at the 6th Xiangshan Forum in Beijing, China, October 17, 2015.

Fan Changlong is currently vice chairman of the Central Military Commission. The Chinese Defense Ministry said the purpose of the visit was to review the situation of troops and inspect construction work on the islands.

China's defense ministry has not released a list of the islands Mr. Long visited.

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter announced a visit to a US destroyer currently transiting the South China Sea on April 15, a move that could upset China as the country increasingly asserts its territorial sovereignty in the South China Sea.

Thanh Hien

(According to Reuters)