China, along with neighboring nations such as Taiwan and Malaysia, claims territorial ownership over the South China Sea. (Photo : Getty Images)
China has landed a military plane on one of the islands in the disputed South China Sea to evacuate three injured workers, the BBC reported.
Thought to be a first, the Chinese military has admitted in public that it indeed sent a plane on the man-made island known as the Fiery Cross Reef.
Landing on a Sunday morning, the military aircraft picked up three construction workers who were reportedly hurt. According to China's state media, the workers were then flown to Hainan Island to receive treatment.
China and several of its neighboring countries have long been engaged in a territorial dispute over the South China Sea. Beijing claims that it owns the area almost entirely.
The BBC also said that previously, China has landed civilian planes on the Fiery Cross Reef. This move has earned ire from the United States and Vietnam, one of the countries who claims the said territory.
Other countries who claim areas within the South China Sea include Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines.
Coming to defense, Beijing clarified that it has been building artificial islands and other structures only for civilian purposes. Nonetheless, other countries claim that there is a possibility that the facilities are directed for military purposes.
The U.S. has previously stressed that China's move to build islands all the more aggravates the tension among the involved countries. It has also been preventing vessels to freely navigate in the disputed area.
The Fiery Cross Reef has become an artificial island after China began a dredging operation and kicked off the construction of buildings and an air strip, the BBC said.
Back in February this year, the U.S. and Taiwan claim that China has deployed missiles on another disputed island named Woody or Yongxing Island.
In response, China expressed concerns that the U.S. is the one militarizing the area, citing its air and naval patrols.
The U.S. then emphasized that the patrols are part of the country's freedom of navigation. The Western giant also stressed that it takes no position on the heated territorial disputes.
