The chief of the United States Pacific Command said the reefs claimed by China in the South China Sea are "clearly military in nature" and "the US would use military force to defend its interests and allies against any threats from the islands," Atlantic Media's publication Defense One reported. Adm. Harry Harris, head of the US Pacific Command, said the reefs claimed by China have vastly expanded and looked like combat bases. "They are building ports that are deep enough to host warships and they're building a 10,000-foot runway at Fiery Cross Reef," Defense One quoted Harris as saying during the Aspen Security Forum, a gathering of top national security leaders of the US.

Romero, A. (2015, July 27). 'China's new islands clearly military'. Philippine Star, p. 4.