US says China is expanding its outposts in South China Sea

WASHINGTON— The director of national intelligence for the United States says China is expanding and accelerating its buildup of outposts in the South China Sea.

James Clapper tells the Senate Armed Services Committee that those outposts now include stationing for ships and potential airfields.

The US is concerned about land reclamation activities that could increase tensions between China and its neighbors over disputed islands and reefs.

The committee chairman, Republican Sen. John McCain, is citing commercial satellite imagery that shows expansion of a Chinese-occupied reef in the past year. He says that could allow China to employ weaponry, including anti-air and other capabilities.