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<div id='article-page'><div id='article-content' data-media-url='//news-app-staging.s3.amazonaws.com' data-base-url='//news-app-staging.herokuapp.com' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/s_china_audio.m4a' data-capture-url='//staging.analytics.lingraphica.com/events/capture_news' data-article-title='US Considering Action in South China Sea' data-article-id='411'><script src='//news-app-staging.herokuapp.com/javascripts/getscripts.js'></script><link rel='stylesheet' href='//news-app-staging.herokuapp.com/stylesheets/article.css' type='text/css' /><div class='article'><p><span data-start-time='0' data-end-time='13396'>United States officials say the Defense Department is considering sending military ships and aircraft to test Chinese claims in the South China Sea.</span> <span data-start-time='13396' data-end-time='24250'>Officials say the U.S. deployment would forcefully demonstrate the right of shipping to move freely through the waterway. </span> <span data-start-time='24250' data-end-time='33750'>The move would be a direct challenge to China and its efforts to manufacture islands in the disputed waters.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='33750' data-end-time='45417'>“We claim the right of innocent passage in such areas and we exercise that right regularly, both in the South China Sea and globally.”</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='45417' data-end-time='56083'>Those are the words of the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs, David Shear. </span> <span data-start-time='56083' data-end-time='67604'>He told a Senate hearing that, “We are going to continue exercising that right, both on the surface of the waters and in the air.”</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='67604' data-end-time='76521'>China's Foreign Ministry said this week it was extremely concerned about the reported U.S. plan. </span> <span data-start-time='76521' data-end-time='83271'>The Foreign Ministry said it had asked U.S. officials to explain the comments.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='83271' data-end-time='96438'>A U.S. Defense Department spokesman says the “key point” is that the waterways and air above the Spratley Islands are international. </span> <span data-start-time='96438' data-end-time='103354'>Colonel Steve Warren adds that the U.S. Navy “routinely” inspects the area. </span> <span data-start-time='103354' data-end-time='117188'>In his words, “International law does not recognize man-made islands as an extension of the mainland, and in this case, nor do we.”</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='117188' data-end-time='129354'>Satellite images have documented China’s development of four coral reefs since President Xi Jinping took office in 2012. </span> <span data-start-time='129354' data-end-time='137917'>The work is taking place in waters where China and its neighbors have competing territorial claims. </span> <span data-start-time='137917' data-end-time='146479'>The development has included structures from shipping piers to landing areas for helicopters. </span> <span data-start-time='146479' data-end-time='154167'>U.S. State Department officials have repeatedly asked China to stop the work.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='154167' data-end-time='166625'>Last week, the Reuters news service reported evidence of an expansion of land area at two Vietnamese-controlled reefs. </span> <span data-start-time='166625' data-end-time='178500'>Reuters said the American-based Center for Strategic and International Studies provided satellite pictures to support the claim.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='178500' data-end-time='187750'>Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel prepared a written statement for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. </span> <span data-start-time='187750' data-end-time='200188'>He wrote that a U.S. presence is needed in the South China Sea to ensure everyone with an interest in the area follows international law. </span> <span data-start-time='200188' data-end-time='209667'>In his words, “No matter how much sand you pile on a reef...you can’t manufacture sovereignty.”</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='209667' data-end-time='223896'>The South China Sea is one of the busiest areas for shipping in the world. U.S. interests are directly affected if China were to enforce control over the area.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='223896' data-end-time='238396'>Mr. Russel told lawmakers that the United States must use, in his words, “all instruments of national power” to push back on what he called “problematic behavior.”</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='238396' data-end-time='253063'>David Shear told U.S. lawmakers that, at the current rate, Chinese crews will complete work on an airfield on one of the reefs in 2017 or 2018. </span> <span data-start-time='253063' data-end-time='262646'>Some lawmakers expressed concern that what China is building could be used to enforce control of the sea. </span> <span data-start-time='262646' data-end-time='270708'>They said U.S. efforts to stop the work might be too little, too late.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='270708' data-end-time='282375'>Mr. Shear added that the United States will continue to have a stronger presence in the area through the deployment of military aircraft. </span> <span data-start-time='282375' data-end-time='295333'>He also said the military plans to send four new battle ships to Singapore by 2020, and an additional submarine to Guam.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='295333' data-end-time='303563'>A U.S. official says Defense Secretary Ashton Carter wants to explore other ideas. </span> <span data-start-time='303563' data-end-time='313417'>They include sending U.S. aircraft and ships within 22 kilometers of the reefs that China has been developing. </span> <span data-start-time='313417' data-end-time='319271'>“The Wall Street Journal” newspaper and Reuters reported the comments.</span> </p><p><span data-start-time='319271' data-end-time='322063'>I'm Christopher Jones-Cruise.</span> </p></div><div class='control-buttons-sticky' style='display:none;'><div class='control-buttons'><button title='Back' class='back' disabled='disabled'></button><button title='Play' class='play' disabled='disabled'></button><button title='Pause' class='pause' style='display:none;'></button><button title='Forward' class='forward' disabled='disabled'></button><button class='finished-reading' style='display:none;'>Done</button></div></div></div><div id='article-media'><div id='media-image'><img src='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/us_image.jpg'/></div></div><div id='question-content' style='display:none;'><div class='vocabulary_question question-container' data-question-id=2441 data-hint-location='83271' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/what_does_key_mean.m4a'>What does key mean?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='important or major'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/relating_to_the_world.m4a'><span>relating to the world</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/important_or_major.m4a'><span>important or major</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/very_often.m4a'><span>very often</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/a_difficult_problem.m4a'><span>a difficult problem</span></div></div></div><div class='vocabulary_question question-container' data-question-id=2442 data-hint-location='33750' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/what_does_regularly_mean.m4a'>What does regularly mean?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='very often'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/relating_to_the_world.m4a'><span>relating to the world</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/important_or_major.m4a'><span>important or major</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/very_often.m4a'><span>very often</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/a_difficult_problem.m4a'><span>a difficult problem</span></div></div></div><div class='vocabulary_question question-container' data-question-id=2443 data-hint-location='24250' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/what_does_challenge_mean.m4a'>What does challenge mean?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='a task or situation that tests someone's abilities'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/a_task_or_situation_that_tests_someones_abilities.m4a'><span>a task or situation that tests someone's abilities</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/relating_to_the_world.m4a'><span>relating to the world</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/important_or_major.m4a'><span>important or major</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/very_often.m4a'><span>very often</span></div></div></div><div class='multiple_choice_question question-container' data-question-id=2444 data-hint-location='24250' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/what_is_china_trying_to_create_in_the_south_china_sea.m4a'>What is China trying to create in the South China Sea?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='islands'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/airports.m4a'><span>airports</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/cities.m4a'><span>cities</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/islands.m4a'><span>islands</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/factories.m4a'><span>factories</span></div></div></div><div class='multiple_choice_question question-container' data-question-id=2445 data-hint-location='0' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/where_are_us_officials_sending_military_ships_and_aircrafts.m4a'>Where are U.S. officials sending military ships and aircrafts?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='South China Sea'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/mediterranean_sea.m4a'><span>Mediterranean Sea</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/south_china_sea.m4a'><span>South China Sea</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/indian_ocean.m4a'><span>Indian Ocean</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/atlantic_ocean.m4a'><span>Atlantic Ocean</span></div></div></div><div class='multiple_choice_question question-container' data-question-id=2446 data-hint-location='209667' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/what_is_the_south_china_sea_primarily_used_for.m4a'>What is the South China Sea primarily used for?</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='shipping'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/military_training.m4a'><span>military training</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/shipping.m4a'><span>shipping</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/travel.m4a'><span>travel</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/trade.m4a'><span>trade</span></div></div></div><div class='sentence_completion_question question-container' data-question-id=2447 data-hint-location='262646' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/us_officials_worry_that_they_are_taking_action_in_the_south_china_sea__blank_.m4a'>U.S. officials worry that they are taking action in the South China Sea <span class='blank'>too late</span>.</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='too late'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/too_late.m4a'><span>too late</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/too_soon.m4a'><span>too soon</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/harshly.m4a'><span>harshly</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/quickly.m4a'><span>quickly</span></div></div></div><div class='sentence_completion_question question-container' data-question-id=2448 data-hint-location='187750' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/daniel_russel_is_most_concerned_about_following__blank__law.m4a'>Daniel Russel is most concerned about following <span class='blank'>international</span> law.</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='international'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/national.m4a'><span>national</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/military.m4a'><span>military</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/trade.m4a'><span>trade</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/international.m4a'><span>international</span></div></div></div><div class='sentence_completion_question question-container' data-question-id=2449 data-hint-location='117188' style='display:none;'><div class='question' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/china_has_developed_four__blank__since_president_xi_jinping_took_office.m4a'>China has developed four <span class='blank'>coral reefs</span> since President Xi Jinping took office.</div><div class='choices' data-correct-choice='coral reefs'><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/areas.m4a'><span>areas</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/countries.m4a'><span>countries</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/coral_reefs.m4a'><span>coral reefs</span></div><div class='choice' data-sound-name='https://news-app-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/135/military_bases.m4a'><span>military bases</span></div></div></div><div class='question-buttons'><button class='skip-button'></button><button class='hint-button'></button><button class='speak-button'></button></div></div></div>
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