China has deployed a surface-to-air missile system on one of its contested islands in the South China Sea, a report said Tuesday just as President Barack Obama called for “tangible steps” to reduce tensions in the region. Fox News said that images from civilian firm ImageSat International show two batteries of eight missile launchers and a radar system arrived within the past week on Woody Island, part of the Paracels chain. A US warship last month sailed close to another island in the chain—which is claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam—in a gesture to assert freedom of navigation in the region which drew a quick protest from Beijing.

China deploys missiles in disputed sea- report. (2016, February 18). The Philippine Star, pp. 1, 4.