*WASHINGTON: The White House warned Thursday that China would face”consequences” for its military buildup in contested waters in the westernPacific.*

“We´re well aware of China´s militarization of the South China Sea,” saidpress secretary Sarah Sanders.

“We´ve raised concerns directly with the Chinese about this and there willbe near-term and long-term consequences.”

Sanders did not say what the consequences would be.

The South China Sea — which sits between Vietnam, the Philippines, Chinaand several other countries — is subject to a myriad of competingterritorial claims.

But in recent years China has upped the ante, seizing islets and atolls inthe face of protests and bellicose warnings.

Beijing Thursday reasserted its right to build “defense” facilities in thedisputed region, but declined to confirm reports it had installed newmissiles on artificial islands it had built.

Beijing sees the area as key to pushing its defenses beyond China´s coastand securing oil supply routes.

Washington and other western countries have insisted that disputes must besettled legally and that freedom of navigation be respected. – APP/AFP