The third World War?

China is building artificial islands on reefs located in South China Sea. After examining pictures published in December last year, a think-tank estimated that military defenses had been established on some of these islands.

The US reacted immediately. The Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson declared China had to stop the island-building. He also made clear that the US would prohibit access to these islands. Tillerson did not specify how the US would block the access, but everybody knows it is only possible with military forces. This announcement does not really sharply break with the policy of President Barack Obama’s administration, but it goes a bit further with the suggestion of a blockade. The Chinese press responded that it would set a course for devastating confrontation between China and the US, advanced world powers with nuclear capabilities.

This issue is not a new one. These islands are located in the international waters. Therefore at least five countries claim ownership over these islands. The other neighbors are afraid that these artificial islands would block access to the Chinese Sea.

Magali