China will begin civilian flights to and from a disputed South China Sea island within a year, state media reported on Friday, as the government expands infrastructure on islands and reefs also claimed by other countries in the region. The US, which has voiced concerns about China’s assertive pursuit of territory in the South China Sea, said launching such flights could complicate disputes between rival claimants in the region. media said the flights would be to Sansha City on Woody Island in the Paracel archipelago, China’s administrative base for islands and reefs it controls in the South China Sea.

China to start civilian flights from disputed isle. (2016, March 13). The Philippine Star, pp. 1, 3.