China, in an early test of US President Donald Trump, is nearly finished building almost two dozen structures on artificial islands in the South China Sea that appear designed to house long-range surface-to-air missiles, two U.S. officials told Reuters. The development is likely to raise questions about whether and how the United States will respond, given its vows to take a tough line on China in the South China Sea. China claims almost all the South China Sea, which carries a third of the world's maritime traffic.

China finishing South China Sea buildings that could house missiles - US officials. (2017,February 23). Manila Bulletin, p. 6.