China is set to commence civilian flight operations to and from the disputed South China Sea within a year, Chinese state media reported on Friday, as the government continues to expand its construction activities in the contested territory amid rising tensions.      

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According to Chinese media, the flights would operate from Sansha city on Woody Island, which is China's administrative base in South China Sea.    

Two passenger ships and a police vessel are the base stations for mobile communications in Sansha city, Xinhua reported, citing an interview with Mayor Xiao Jie.

The airfield in Sansha and a newer one on Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly archipelago will give boost to air traffic in South China Sea region, Xiao added.

The United States has expressed reservations over China's latest reported move, saying that flight operations would complicate the situation in South China Sea.        

U.S. State Department Spokeswoman Anna Richey-Allen said, "launching the flights would be inconsistent with the region's commitments to exercise restraint from actions that could complicate or escalate disputes."

"China should heed to its prior public commitments to cease land reclamation and militarization on their outposts in the South China Sea, and instead focus on reaching agreement on acceptable behavior in disputed areas," Richey-Allen said.   

The news of China plans to start flight operation in the South China Sea comes just weeks after Japan, Taiwan and other claimants accused China of deploying missiles and fighter jets on Woody Island. This prompted the United States to accuse Beijing of betraying its commitment of not to militarize South China region.

The U.S. also dispatched an aircraft carrier and several ships to the South China Sea.

China refuted reports of its missile deployment to the contested territory as nothing but 'media hype', claiming that it has the right to build 'limited defensive facilities' on its territory.

The South China Sea is believed to have vast amount of natural resources - including approximately 7.7 billion barrels of oil. One-third of the world's shipping also sails through South China Sea.

The region's massive economic importance has played a big role in making it one of the most disputed regions in the world.

TagsSouth China Sea, china, Woody island, South China Sea Dispute, south china sea conflict