China has made provocative actions and destabilizing moves in the South China Sea since a Hague-based arbitral court ruling was handed down in July, rejecting Beijing's massive claims to the disputed international waterway, according to Admiral Scott Swift, US Pacific Fleet Commander.

Swift, who was onboard a US destroyer in its first visit to the port of Qingdao since the ruling, said on Tuesday that although China's recent activities in the South China Sea (such as conducting military drills, constructing fighter jet hangars on the disputed Spratlys, carrying out air patrols over disputed islands and scheduling military exercise with Russian forces in September) may not be a direct response to the tribunal ruling, it has definitely raised more tension in the region.

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Swift also cited the recent incursions of 230 Chinese fishing vessels into Japanese waters in the East China Sea angering Japan over the weekend.

Reinforced hangars

Chinese President Xi Jinping earlier vowed not to militarize the disputed Spratlys, but satellite photos released by an international think tank on Monday shows that Beijing has built reinforced hangars for its fighter jets in three islets in the contested Spratlys.

Although Swift said these activities may not be a direct reaction by Beijing to the tribunal ruling released last July 12, the lack of transparency in China's intentions adds to the already heightened tension in the South China Sea region

"It's a very, very dynamic theater," Adm. Swift said on the recent developments in the East China and South China seas. "Things are changing all the time. So it's difficult without a clear stated intent to ascertain exactly what that intent is, and that's not a good place to be. That is not increasing the stability of the region."

Water War

China's Defense Ministry, which could not be reached for comment, earlier said that Beijing is preparing its troops and citizens for a possible "water war" in the South China Sea region.

Recently, the People's Liberation Army air force carried out air combat patrols over the airspace of the disputed Spratlys Islands and the Scarborough Shoal in the strategic waterway in preparation for possible military confrontation.

Despite Beijing's rejection of the ruling, Swift said all sides to the dispute have expressed willingness to settle the row peacefully as Manila's special envoy for the South China Sea negotiations, former Philippine president Fidel Ramos, is currently in Hong Kong preparing the groundwork for Sino-Philippine talks.

ADIZ

Despite the impending talks between China and the Philippines, US officials have expressed worry that China might establish an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) over the disputed sea as a direct response to the ruling.

Beijing declared an ADIZ over the East China Sea three years ago.

On Monday, satellite images analyzed by a US think tank showed the construction of what appeared to be reinforced hangars for Beijing's dozens of jet fighters on the disputed Spratlys Islands.

Volatile

Swift said there have been signs of Beijing escalating its activities in the disputed sea since the ruling, intensifying the already volatile atmosphere in the region.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruled on July 12 that there is no legal basis to China claims of 'historic rights'  to the South China Sea under its nine-dash line.

Beijing refused to accept the ruling, dismissing it as 'illegal' and 'null and void.' Chinese President Xi Jinping has said that China will not abide by the ruling and will not accept any actions or propositions based on the ruling. 

TagsSouth China Sea, US Admiral Scott Swift, President Xi Jinping, Chinese fishing vessels, china